Residents of the Kagaene area in Meru blocked the Meru-Mikinduri road on Friday, paralyzing transport along the major highway as they protested the poor state of their local road network.
According to reports, transport was brought to a standstill as residents protested the deteriorating condition of the Miathene-Kagaene-Mboguini Road.
The residents took a defiant stand against years of neglect, saying they had endured a poor road network for too long and were now demanding immediate action from authorities.
"The road is a nightmare, it's dusty, potholed, and impassable at times," the protesters complained, highlighting the severe impact on their daily lives and economic activities.
The residents expressed deep frustration with their area MP, John Mutunga, accusing him of making empty promises without delivering tangible results.
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They said businesses at the Kagaene market were suffering, with majority of business people forced to close their operations due to excessive dust from the unmaintained road.
"We have a useless MP. People have closed their businesses because the road is too dusty. We urge William Ruto to intervene because our local leaders are not doing anything," one angry resident declared.
Another resident echoed similar sentiments, directly challenging MP Mutunga's campaign promises,"Mutunga, our MP hasn't helped us. When he campaigned for the seat, he promised to tarmac this road. It's too dusty, it's affecting a lot of things. He needs to fulfill his promise or else we are not voting for him again."
The protesters vowed not to back down until their demands are met, specifically urging the government to tarmac the Miyavene-Kagayene-Mbomwini Road to address their transportation woes.
In another report, residents of Mutego village in Kabete have threatened to block the construction of the Gitaru interchange, claiming that the project is cutting them off after ditches were dug across their feeder routes.
"We have talked with KeNHA, for them to give us a way forward. We don't know what their plan is. But if it doesn't bear fruit, we plan to go to court and stop this construction," one Mutego resident noted.
The Kabete residents have held multiple meetings with authorities to resolve the impasse, but without success.
"We have had two meetings, and we still haven't reached an agreement. We need roads to and out of our homes. No vehicles are coming in, people are left to park and leave their vehicles in petrol stations, which is not particularly safe," another resident complained.
