KURA Oversees Major Road Upgrade in Bomet Town [Photos]

Bomet Town is undergoing a major road infrastructure upgrade as the government steps up efforts to modernise urban centres and improve infrastructure supporting local economic activities.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 2, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the ongoing works involve upgrading several roads in the town to bitumen standards.

"As the town grows, it is not being left behind in the Government's commitment to modernise urban centres and strengthen the infrastructure that supports local economies," he wrote. 

According to Omollo, the project, overseen by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), covers 10 kilometres of key urban roads.

"Overseen by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), the project targets 10 kilometres of critical urban roads, with works including earthworks, drainage systems and pedestrian walkways," he added.

Omollo said the Bomet Town works are also part of a larger road development programme being implemented across the county, targeting hundreds of kilometres of rural and urban roads.

"It forms part of a wider programme to pave more than 500 kilometres of rural and urban roads across Bomet County," he further said.

Omollo said the upgraded roads are expected to strengthen links between residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and public facilities, while also improving access to Bomet University and supporting agricultural trade within the county.

"The upgraded network will improve connectivity between residential areas, business centres, essential public amenities and the newly chartered Bomet University, while easing the movement of agricultural traders to the upcoming Mulot and Kapkwen modern ESP markets," he concluded.

Elsewhere, a major road network in Narok County is taking shape as the government steps up efforts to improve connectivity and open up agricultural areas to markets. 

In an update on Tuesday, September 1, Omollo said the government was moving away from the longstanding challenges associated with poor rural roads as it implements a development agenda extending beyond Vision 2030.

"'Dust is constant' is a philosophy we are not carrying into the conversation on Kenya Beyond Vision 2030. Across Narok, roads are being transformed from dusty, impassable routes into reliable arteries of development," he wrote.

The Ololunga-Sogoo-Saptet-Mulot Road is nearing completion, with 22 kilometres already paved to bitumen standards under the supervision of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and funded by the National Government.

Omollo said the road forms part of a wider rural network designed to connect communities across several constituencies and improve access to productive agricultural areas.

"The road is part of a larger multi-link rural network spanning 78 to 81 kilometres, connecting communities across Narok South, Narok West, Kilgoris and Emurua Dikirr, opening up fertile agricultural zones and easing the movement of farmers and their produce," he added.

Omollo said the improved road network would also strengthen the connection between rural production centres and markets, providing farmers with better opportunities to transport and sell their produce.

"The improved corridor will link rural production centres to markets such as the newly operational Ololulunga Modern Market, strengthening trade in maize, wheat, vegetables and dairy products," he further said.