Kiambu County Advances Road Network Improvement and Urban Upgrades

Kiambu, Kenya – Kiambu County is witnessing significant progress in its road network and urban infrastructure development, with several key projects underway. The final stages of construction at Kiambu Bus Park are nearing completion, with the commencement of cabro laying expected soon.

According to Kenya News Agency, the base layer of the bus park is almost finished, and work on walkways and drainage is ongoing. The bus terminal, one of the busiest in the region serving routes to major towns within Kiambu, Nairobi, Murang’a, and Nakuru Counties, is undergoing rehabilitation to facilitate easier mobility and foster economic growth.

Governor Wamatangi, reflecting on his first year in office, highlighted the county government’s initiatives in road development. He mentioned the assembly of road construction units, equipped with graders, roller compactors, trucks, water bowsers, and excavators. These units have been instrumental in opening new roads and maintaining feeder roads, reducing costs significantly.

“To speed up socio-economic transformation, my administration prioritizes rebuilding the County road network, a key aspect of my manifesto. Our aim is to ensure well-maintained and accessible roads across all the 60 wards,” Wamatangi stated. He noted the establishment of road construction units in each sub-county, equipped with machinery owned by the County, to provide construction material and reduce rebuilding costs.

The Governor reported successful opening and restoration of over 400 rural access roads within the wards. He also pointed out progress in ongoing tarmacking projects across the county. Plans are in place to modernize and upgrade bus parks in Makongeni in Thika, Kikuyu Town, Kwa Maiko in Githunguri, and Karuri, aiming to improve public transportation and the transport sector’s quality.

Upcoming projects include bus parks in Githurai, Githunguri, and O.J in Ruiru. In response to rising electricity costs, Wamatangi mentioned that the county government is transitioning to solar street lighting, with plans to install approximately 18,000 solar street lights across the 60 wards, alongside maintaining existing lights.

Recognizing the growing population, the Governor emphasized the need to upgrade urban centers. To this end, six new municipalities have been established: Githunguri, Lari, Gatundu, Juja, Kabete, and Githurai. These municipalities will receive annual grants ranging from Sh400 million to Sh500 million for vital infrastructure projects like road construction, water and sewerage systems installation, street lighting, and modern markets.

Kiambu County is set to receive approximately Sh1.6 billion from the World Bank’s Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP). The county has appointed 12 new municipal managers and is working on digitizing the land registry and automating building plan approvals.

In a significant move to ease traffic congestion, the government signed a Sh37.2 billion (USD 286 million) loan deal with China in April this year. The loan will finance the conversion of Kiambu road into a dual carriageway. The 25 km road, passing through Muthaiga-Kiambu-Ndumberi, is expected to alleviate traffic jams, particularly during rush hours. Roads Principal Secretary Joseph Mbugua confirmed that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) had partnered with Chinese firm Sinohydro Corporation Limited for the project’s execution.