Kwale: Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has launched two new high-powered graders to boost road maintenance and improve infrastructure in rural areas across the coastal county. Governor Achani said so far Kwale County Government has purchased six graders, murram road and graveled over 1,688 kilometers of roads, tarmacked more than 15.22 kilometers of new roads, and built one bridge.
According to Kenya News Agency, among the roads included are the tarmacking of Tiwi-Vinuni, Kona ya Polisi-Msambweni Hospital, Tsimba-Mbuguni and Mangwei-Majoreni roads. The county seeks to open up many roads to enable rural farmers to evacuate their crop yields to markets in urban towns as poor roads made it difficult for farmers to access markets.
Achani said these critical infrastructure projects traverse an area where fishing, agriculture and ecotourism are the main economic activities and have improved urban mobility, reduced travel time and enhanced business operations. She said the road upgrades have boosted rural trade and facilitated easier movement of people, goods and services.
Speaking during the official launch of the motor graders in Matuga Sub-County, Achani said the new equipment will be dispatched to the sub-counties to support ongoing road maintenance and the opening of new feeder roads. ‘We are determined to expand and maintain rural roads which are vital for agricultural development as they serve as a crucial link between farmers and markets in urban centres,’ she said.
She said the initiative represents a significant step by her administration in the ongoing efforts to enhance road infrastructure development. ‘These graders will help us open up inaccessible areas in the interior regions, especially during the rainy season, to ease transportation,’ she said, adding that Kwale is committed to creating a more connected and prosperous future for all residents.
The coastal county boss gave assurance that the machines would be put to good use ensuring that roads are opened and maintained regularly for the benefit of the area residents. ‘The new graders will enhance the condition of our road networks in rural and urban areas and ensure the mobility of goods and services,’ she said and directed the roads department to ensure the proper use of the equipment to avert its misuse.
Achani added that improved road networks are key to achieving socio-economic empowerment, enhancing access to health and education facilities, and boosting agricultural productivity. ‘By investing in our roads, we are laying the foundation for sustained socio-economic progress,’ said Achani.
The County Roads Executive Ali Joto said he would ensure that the equipment is used judiciously and maintained properly and that he would personally track the progress of road projects across the four sub-counties and ensure accountability. Joto expressed hope that the machines would help the maintenance of roads and enhance economic activities in all corners of Kwale.
‘We are assuring all that the machines would be used for the intended purpose and public good,’ he said. Kwale County Assembly Minority Leader and Tiwi Ward MCA Tumaini Mwachaunga applauded the county for investing in infrastructure, noting that it directly impacts people’s lives from transporting produce to markets to ensuring ambulances can reach remote areas without delay.
Mwachaunga said the grader’s acquisition marks a step forward in Kwale’s infrastructure development and is expected to significantly improve road conditions across the coastal county. The MCA said the graders would not only improve the quality and safety of county roads but would also stimulate local economies.
The event was attended by County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo, County Executive Committee Members (CECM) Ali Joto (Roads), Roman Shera (Agriculture and Fisheries), Mishi Salim (Education) and Michael Mutua (Trade and Tourism). County Agriculture Executive Roman Shera says rural infrastructure contributes to economic activities, food production, market access and the overall welfare of the communities.
Rashid Mwamaneno, a local resident, thanked the devolved government for the graders, saying poor road conditions have long hindered transport and development. ‘We have suffered for years, especially during the rainy seasons when many earth roads are rendered impassable. These motor graders are a big relief. We hope our roads will be passable now,’ he said.
Mwamaneno said many rural roads in Kwale have long been grappling with bad state of roads and that the purchase of the graders has renewed hope for residents in uplifting roads. He stated that with regular road maintenance, post-harvest losses by farmers would be a thing of the past as farmers would access urban markets more easily.