Residents of Irunduni Market in Tharaka Nithi County are beginning to experience relief and renewed optimism following the ongoing tarmacking of the Miomponi-Mukothima-Gatunga road.
Implemented and supervised by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), the 30-kilometer road connects the three wards and more than five trading centres including Irunduni, Miomponi, Mukothima, Gaciongo, Turima Tweru and Gatunga.
As part of the broader plan by President William Ruto’s broad plan for road infrastructure, aimed at accelerating rural development and economic growth, the road project is geared towards enabling farmers to get their produce to the markets, boosting trade and connectivity.
According to the latest project report, the road upgrade is ahead of schedule, with significant sections completed, and is expected to open up the region by improving access to markets, schools, and essential services while boosting local economic activity.
The road project is funded by the Government of Kenya to a tune of Sh3,398,183,779.40 and links Mioponi-Turimatweru (3kms), Turimatweru Junction-Mukothima 3.1 Kilometres, Mukothima-Gaciongo 11.5 Kilometres, Gaciongo-Manyanga 5.6 kilometres and Manyaga-Gatunga which is 3.8 kilometres.
Aerial view of the ongoing Irunduni-Gatunga road upgrade cutting through the vast rural landscape, a project expected to boost connectivity, trade and access to essential services for communities in the region.Muthuri Namaan says in the region, nobody ever thought of Mukothima or Tharaka having such developments. He sees it fit to encourage other youth to give their full support to President William Ruto’s Government for their visionary idea to open up the region to trade and other benefits.Samuel Ndagara is thankful to the government for bringing the untimely change to their home area. He highlights how the road gets impassable during the rainy season leaving vehicle stuck for days. This he notes affects the business developments in the road corridor.The Miomponi-Mukothima-Gatunga Road is used by people from different regions in the Tharaka landscape. In its bad state, residents have persevered through different weather seasons using diverse means of transport depending on the current conditions.Road works in progress in Irunduni along the Mioponi-Mukothima-Gatunga Road. Sections of youth along the corridor have gained employment at the site and making a livelihood for their families.Esther Nyaga is happy that her village road is now free of dust. Esther, 60, says she never expected to see a good road going through her home town. Traveling to far places to encounter tarmacked roads was the norm during the past, she says. According to Duncun Mugambi, the road will no longer be muddy and using his bicycle will be easier. He says even the local shops have started feeling the impact of the construction with sales increasing. This is as a result of more road users and Mugambi hopes the trajectory will keep up and improve the economy of Tharaka Nithi.
Kimanthi Rutere reports on Kenyan politics, governance, and regional affairs, with particular attention to counties in the Mt. Kenya region. His work focuses on political developments, leadership decisions, public administration, and issues affecting local governance under devolution.
