BY Dickens Wasonga

The Ministry of roads has released Sh 4.2 billion to the Kenya Rural Roads Authority for the improvement of rural roads in all the 210 constituencies.

Roads minister Frankline Bett said that his ministry has directed KeRRA to release Sh 20 million to all the constituency roads committees countrywide.

The minister addresses the public at Kisumu’s kiboswa junction.

He said the move is aimed at ensuring accessibility of all the regions in the country by road.

“The funds which have since been released to all the constituencies will be used for the development of all the rural roads countrywide so that all the regions remain accessible,” he added.

Bett said the constituency roads committees will be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the funds are spent appropriately.

Bett was speaking in Kisumu during a two day road inspection tour in Nyanza and Western Provinces.

The minister was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary Eng. Michael Kamau, Kenya National Highways Authority chairperson Anne Mureithi and the General Manager Eng. Stephen Ngare among other officials from KeRRA.

“My ministry will also ensure the expansion of major roads including bridges so as to curb escalating accidents in the country,” said Bett.

He said it was unfortunate that over 400 people lost their lives in December last year and challenged drivers to take precaution while using the roads.

“Remember only 4 percent of road accidents occur as a result of bad roads, about 96 percent occur due to negligence on the side of the drivers and use of unroad worthy vehicles,” he added.

He said plans are in pipeline to construct a 7 metre dual carriage way from Kiboswa junction in Kisumu to join the current one at Ofafa area.

“A similar way will also be established on Kisumu-Kakamega highway just four kilometres before Kakamega town and two kilometers after Kakamega on the way to Kitale,” he added.

He pointed out that the move is geared towards reduction in the severity of all accidents and reduction in number of head on collisions on the roads.

“The dual carriage way will also reduce driver frustration by provision of overtaking opportunities and elimination of uncontrolled right turning movements,” he added.

He said once they are established they will be floodlit at night to ensure more light for the drivers.

Bett cited that the construction of the dual carriage ways will be coupled with the construction and expansion of the Kisumu-Webuye-Kitale roads and a number of roads in Nyanza and Western Provinces.

The minister at the same time issued a stern warning to those who have constructed their houses on road reserves saying that they will be demolished when the construction work begins before end of the year.

“You should rest assured that the road reserves belongs to ministry of roads thus any building constructed there will be demolished once construction work begins,” he added.

Ends…