SONYSUGAR COMPANY TOLD TO REPAIR URIRI-RAPOGI ROAD WHICH WAS RECENTLY DAMAGED BY IT’S HEAVY MACHINERY AND TRACTORS.
Writes Leo Odera Omolo
The Awendo-based SONYSUGAR Company has been urged to undertake the repair work of feeder and access roads within its cane growing zones, which have been damaged by its heavy machines, tractors and worsened by the current long rains.
Uriri politician, who is also a Nairobi businessman, Mr. John Bob Awiti Otange last week wrote an open letter to the management of the government-owned white sugar manufacturing firm, and pointed out that an 8 kilometer section of Rapogi-Uriri road, which is linking the interior parts of the district to the main-Kisii-Awendo Migori highway is in a pathetic state. It has become impassable, particularly during the current heavy rains, and need urgent gravelling.
Mr Awiti-Otange pointed out that the on going heavy rains, which is pounding the Lake region incessantly, has damaged a number of roads in the district, including the Rapogi-Oria and Oyani Achuth, as well as Rapogi-Awendo. The situation has been worsened by the recent harvesting of cane in farms adjacent to Rapogi market, where the Awendo based sugar miller used heavy machinery, while winching its tractors stuck in the mud.
The state of these roads has now made it impossible for motorists, including residents, who works in towns in other parts of Kenya, as well as those who live in Nairobi, to access their rural homes, forcing many families to walk on foot for long distances before they can access their rural homes. Some motorists are forced to abandon their vehicles at Awendo town or in Uriri shopping centre and then trek between eight and 15 kilometers by foot, in order to be able to reach their homes.
The businessman-cum-politician reminded the SONYSUGAR management that Rapogi-Uriri road has for many years been an all weather road until its tractors used it a couple of weeks ago while ferrying cane from the field to the factory. This was done during the current heavy downpour and has devastated nearly all section of Uriri-Rapogi-Oria.
Rapogi-Oria is so important economically as it links an area where both tobacco and sugarcane are grown in abundance and it is now not possible for the farmers to have their products and crops transported to the market. The pathetic state of road hurts the local farming communities. It has hit them below the belt as they are now stranded with their produce at home.
Mr. Awiti-Otange also urged the Provincial administration and police authorities to curb the upsurging waves of crime rate around Rapogi trading center and its environs, saying the local communities are now living in fear, following the recent spate of cowardly attacks and violent robberies against traders and individual within the vicinity of Rapogi. The government, he added, should use its chiefs and their assistant in combating and stamping out thuggery in the area.
Apart from Rapogi Oria road, which is linking Uriri and Ndhiwa district, the Rapogi Awendo road is a busy road for the economy of the region, and the SONYSUGAR company should undertake its repair, together with the Ministry of Works, so that people returning home for Easter Holidays can access their rural homes.
He suggested that the repair work should start at field 3A, Moses Awiti farm, near the junction of Rapogi Awendo and Rapogi Uriri road, and run-over Nyarago bridge, towards Ramuom School and Kaminolewe, covering Nyamilu shopping Centre, to the Uriri D.C’s office. This particular section needs urgent attention.
Mr Bob-Awiti-Otange also urged those charged with the responsibility of handling CDF within Uriri constituency to ensure that the damaged small bridges linking the villages are repaired immediately, as this would make it much easier for the farmers to transport their wares to the marketplaces.
Ends
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com