Patmoz
Kajiado residents under the Masai Lodge Petition Group, in conjunction with the Resident Associations of Kajiado North and East Constituencies, have issued a two-week ultimatum to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) as they addressed the critical and unacceptable state of their road infrastructure.
Speaking today during a press briefing in Rongai, Kajiado County, the residents expressed their profound outrage and demanded immediate action from the Kenya National Government regarding the long-stalled road construction projects within their constituencies namely Manna-Rimpa Road, Rongai-Gataka road, Nazarene-Kitengela Road and the dualing of Magadi road.
According to the residents, the projects were budgeted for and approved during the 2017/2018 budget cycle.
“Seven years have passed, and these vital roads remain incomplete. Seven years, while we, the residents, have never failed in our tax obligations but we continue to suffer,” read their statement.
The residents especially from Kajiado East and North reiterated the immense suffering they have endured due to the deplorable roads. Their repeated efforts to have them tarmacked have been met with utter failure and as a result, the negative impacts are innumerable and have reached an unbearable level.
Some of the challenges include public health crisis as they continue to choke on dust especially children who are constantly hospitalized, severely impacting their health and development. Another challenge is economic devastation which is attributed to the soaring cost of vehicle maintenance continues to cripple already burdened citizens. In addition, businesses are closing, tenants are fleeing, and the young people are losing jobs daily.
As far as insecurity is concerned, the issue has been escalating due to the poor road conditions which severely hinder police response times, leading to a dangerous rise in crime. Elsewhere, the residents have reported depressed property values as they say their property values remain stagnant due to impassable roads, undermining their investments.
Furthermore, transportation paralysis has been the norm as public service vehicles and boda-bodas require constant repairs due to the constant jarring from potholes and dust.
The residents are deeply concerned by credible reports of corrupt KeRRA engineers deliberately sabotaging these projects for kickbacks. “It appears these stalled projects have become a cash cow for the KeRRA resident engineer and their associates.” They noted.
Through their two-weeks ultimatum, the residents have vowed to ensure all responsible officials are removed from office especially the KeRRA resident engineer who is reported to be the weakest link and has been reported to be frustrating the contractor.
Furthermore, they reminded the President of his promise, made at Masai Lodge shortly after the 2022 elections, to complete the 65km road circuit in Kajiado North within a year. Nearly two years have passed, and no progress so far. They appealed to the president quickly intervene and demonstrate his commitment to the community fulfilling this promise without further delay.
