President Kibaki (right) is shown a map of the rehabilitated Maai-Mahiu-Narok road by Kenya National Highways Authority official Meshak Kidenda during its official opening at Maai Mahiu, Rift Valley Province August 26, 2011. PPS
By PPS
Posted Friday, August 26 2011 at 16:05
Posted Friday, August 26 2011 at 16:05
The Kenya Government has allocated a record sum of 101 billion shillings in the current financial year for the development of the roads sub-sector, President Kibaki said Friday.
President Kibaki said the allocation forms one of the largest single annual investments in roads infrastructure in the history of the country.
He said this reaffirms the government’s commitment to rebuilding and expanding the road network to make it easier for Kenyans to do business and contribute to the growth of the economy.
“For this reason, and despite severe constraints on Exchequer resources, we have maintained high level of funding to the sector. For instance, during Fiscal Year 2010/2011, the allocation towards this sub sector was 90 billion shillings,” President Kibaki said at Maai-Mahiu when he officially opened the Maai-Mahiu-Narok road.
He noted that investments for the improvement of the road network were opening up rural areas for more production.
“The improvement of these roads, as well as many others across our country which are either complete or on-going, will go a long way in ensuring that Kenyans enjoy safe and comfortable travel.”
The government’s focus on improvement of the road network is based on the appreciation that roads are the primary mode of transportation in the country.
“Statistics indicate that over 95 percent of the freight transport and over eighty percent of passenger transport takes place on our roads. Investing in improvement of our roads will therefore yield immense gains and benefits to the majority of our people," he said.
President Kibaki said the Maai-Mahiu-Narok road forms an important corridor that extends to Bomet and on to Kisii town thus providing residents in the vast region with a more direct route to the city of Nairobi and beyond.
The improved road is also expected to enhance trade, particularly agricultural and livestock produce apart from being the main link to the world famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve.
“Its rehabilitation will enable both local and foreign visitors to the Game Reserve to benefit from reduced travel times and costs as well as enhanced comfort," said the President.
He affirmed government’s commitment to developing a modern road transport infrastructure that enables Kenyans to travel safely, comfortably and affordably.
The President said: “This is the reason why we are investing a substantial amount of the available resources to improve and upgrade key roads that serve to strengthen linkages both internally and externally with our neighbours.”
Among the key roads the government is developing included the Northern Corridor that boosts trade links with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Others included Isiolo-Moyale road meant to open up trade links with Ethiopia, Athi River-Namanga road that forms a critical link with Tanzania as well as the recently initiated design of the Leseru-Kitale-Lokichogio-Nandapal road to enhance Kenya’s links with South Sudan.
During the occasion, the President thanked development partners for their support in the construction of the road and other infrastructure projects in the country.
He instructed the police to ensure that all traffic regulations are adhered to at all times and not after tragic accidents occur.
“As a nation we must value human life and never allow reckless drivers to take away the lives of our loved ones.”
President Kibaki also reminded Kenyans to take advantage of the rehabilitated roads to improve their lives by setting up viable commercial activities and to visit other parts of the country too to appreciate Kenya’s beauty and potential.
“Travel to other parts of the country to appreciate the unlocked potential in the country in all sectors of the economy.”
Speaking during the same occasion, Roads minister Franklin Bett decried the increased road carnage terming it too painful and costly to the economy.
Mr Bett said huge resources were being diverted to repairs and maintenance of road facilities rather than development of new roads after such accidents.
Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti said that President Kibaki had accomplished much in infrastructural development programmes.
Others who addressed the occasion included: Heritage minister William ole Ntimama, Naivasha MP John Mututho, PS Ministry of Roads Michael Kamau, and Chairperson Kenya National Highways Authority Mrs. Hannah Muriithi.
The occasion was also addressed by representatives of the German and French embassies Michael Hasenau and Stephanie Seydoux respectively.
In attendance were several assistant ministers, legislators from all parts of the country and senior Government officials including the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura.
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