Some sections of the Murang’a Highway, which Ruto is about to open, are still closed

President William Ruto will visit Murang’a on Friday to commission development projects in Kiharu and Gatanga constituencies.

The projects include Kiriani Murang’a Road which has been repaved.

The road runs from Muranga town through Kiriaini to Kairo shopping centre in Mathioya.

The road was built by the Kenya National Highways Authority and construction began in 2019.

It connects Muranga and Nyeri to Nairobi and is the preferred choice for motorists travelling to Otaya and Mukuweini as it is shorter and has less traffic compared to the Thika-Sagana-Nyeri Expressway.

The tender was awarded to two contractors who will carry out the works at both ends of the road.

A railway line started from Muranga town and stretched to Mugka Shopping Centre in Kihalu district, which took about four years to complete the 13km stretch.

Another contractor started with Kairo Shopping Centre in Mathioya and will complete the project at Mugeka Shopping Centre.

But the contractor left the site in 2021 due to delays in disbursement of funds by the government.

The suspension of works has affected Gaitheri, Kiambugi, Gakurwe and Kamacharia shopping centres, which are located on the unfinished 20km stretch.

In June last year, the government allocated Sh598 million to complete the road project and the road works resumed, much to the relief of residents.

The road was also transferred from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to Kenha.

However, heavy rains earlier this year took their toll, with part of the road from Muranga town to Mugka closed in April.

Kenha said five embankments between the two towns collapsed, causing extensive damage to the road and posing a serious risk to drivers and pedestrians.

Authorities then directed traffic from Kiriaini to Mugeka-Kaweru junction-Gakonya to facilitate vehicles heading to Murang’a town.

Travellers heading to Kiriaini are advised to use the longer Murang’a-Kangema-Kiriaini route, or the Murang’a-Gatiba Junction-Gitugi-Kiriaini route.

Joseph Wachira, a resident of Muranga, said they suffered losses as they had to pay more money to reach Muranga town due to the closure of part of the road.

“To save time, most people choose to pay to take a vehicle that can access the closed road,” he said.

The closure also took a toll on the economy of surrounding areas.

With the President’s visit, Wachira is optimistic that he will order the repair of the road to restore normalcy in the area.

John Kamau, a matatu driver who plies the Murang’a Kiria-ini route, said they sometimes opt for closed sections because longer routes eat into their profits.

“The alternative route provided is too long and not conducive for business. Even passengers want us to use this road so that they can return home faster. We are worried as we have not even seen engineers surveying the damage,” he said.

The President will also launch last mile power projects at Malewa and Kambilwa markets and on the Mitaraqua-Hapaul-Mbari and Shiti roads in Katanga.

The Ndunyu Chege modern market and the Gatanga water project, which will bring water from the Ndaka-ini dam to local households, will also be commissioned.