Traders upbeat as key road is opened in Runyenjes
An aerial shot of the newly tarmacked Rukuriri-Kathageri Road in Runyenjes, Embu County
The business community in Runyenjes, Embu County is beaming with excitement and hope after the Kenya Kwanza administration fulfilled its promise to tarmac the crucial Rukuriri-Kathageri Road.
A key electoral pledge that President William Ruto made during the 2022 presidential campaign, the road connects the agriculture-rich Kararitiri-Rukuriri, Kathageri in Kyeni North, Kanyuambora and key markets in Embu, Meru and even Nairobi.
During his visit to the area recently, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki said the government is building more than seven roads spread across the four constituencies in Embu County to spur economic growth and development.
“The government is building roads here in Embu and we will be launching new road projects in Runyenjes and Manyatta. I will come back here in three-four weeks to launch the construction of the Kivwe-Kevote Road,” said DP Kindiki.
Through the leadership of President Ruto, this administration completed the construction of the road from Rukuriri to Kathegeri, it is now fully tarmacked, and we are now focusing one other road projects like the one from Kathageri-Kigumo to Kanyuambora,” he added.
Led by local boda boda association chairman Samuel Ndwiga, the business community described the road project as a huge relief especially for motorists, riders, travelers, traders and the general members of the public.
According to him, the road project will open the agriculture rich counties, improve accessibility and cut travel costs and also significantly reduce wear and tear of their boda bodas and vehicles operating along this key road.
“I have been a boda boda rider here for more than 10 years, in fact it is more than 15 years because I later acquired a vehicle and I have been driving on this road and to truth be told, we really suffered before this road was built,” said Ndwiga.
“You would buy a spring for your bike and, one week later, it is broken; so, I want to say a big thank you to the UDA government and President Ruto because they have done a great thing by building this road for us,” he stated.
Noting that the completion of the road project was like a dream come true, Ndwiga said: “We are all excited, you can walk on sandals all the way to Rukuriri because the road is good and we now endorsing President Ruto for second term,” he affirmed.
He said that President Ruto pledged to build the road during the 2022 presidential election campaign. “DP Kindiki has been coming here, bringing the message from President Ruto, the message of development and we are glad they have fulfilled their promise,” he pointed out.
“Actually, it is like a dream for us, this government has done a lot for us, we have benefited from infrastructure projects; in fact, as we speak the government has invested Sh200 million to expand our local polytechnic,” he added.
Catherine Wa Karembo, a trader at Gathageri Market, recalled the difficulties locals used to go through before the road was tarmacked. “I have lived here for more than 20 years, and this road has been a big problem for us especially from Kiangungi all the way,” she said.
“Those using this road like the boda boda riders had very difficult moments and many of them got involved in accidents because of the poor state of the road,” said.
She said that they have been waiting for the road since President Kibaki’s era, more than 15 years ago. “Everyone is excited because their luggage now arrives in the market without delays,” she said.
