How NGO has transformed dilapidated road network in Meru
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Two years ago, the majority of residents of Gitimbine, Mjini, and Majengo, the underserved areas of Meru County, could not easily access crucial facilities like dispensaries, schools, and markets, especially in Meru town, due to the sorry state of the access roads at that time.
This, however, is a thing of the past, especially after Community Roads Empowerment (CORE Kenya), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with funding from the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF), through the World Bank set foot in the area to rehabilitate the 26km of roads connecting the 23km of existing Eastern and Western bypasses through the Do Nou technology.
Does Nou technology mean using gunny bags with materials to improve sections of roads that are in dire need of repair or have been rendered impassable?
During a visit to some areas where the rehabilitation programme has been completed, residents who spoke to KNA registered their gratitude to CORE, adding that their presence has played a key role in opening them up to the outside world.
Sam Bundi, a resident of Majengo who uses Kaurone-Patmos Road, said he could now comfortably settle into his farming business with the assurance that his farm produce would easily be transported from his farm to the markets.
“This road has always been impassable when it rains. I remember I had to incur huge expenses after the vehicles I was using to ferry maize from my Shamba were stuck in the muddy road. I had to hire several young men to pull out the vehicle, and this ate into my profits,” said Bundi.
He said that the road’s drainage has been one of the impediments, but considering that it has been fixed, transportation along the roads will be smooth. Augustine Ouma, Manager at Patmos Hotel along the same road, said there have been challenges relating to the accessibility of the road, which translated to few clients for his business.
Bearing fruit
He said the rehabilitation of the road is already bearing fruit, as clients are increasing daily. “We are grateful that this road was one of those earmarked for rehabilitation.
The works on it have been so well done, and our clients are not worried even if it rains, as they are sure of the accessibility to the hotel and the nearest tarmacked road,” said Ouma.
Wilson Murithi, a resident of the Gitimbine area, said the rehabilitation of Tungi Road has been a game-changer for the residents in terms of economic activities.
He said that unlike in the past, when the road was pathetic, farmers could now ferry their farm produce to the markets in Meru town and its environs without problems.
“The ease of transporting goods to the market has reduced the transportation cost, which means more money for farmers,” said Murithi, adding that the road has also enhanced security in the area due to frequent police patrols.
Benson Kirimi, a boda boda operator, said they do not have to take their motorcycles for repairs as frequently as they were doing before since the road is now smooth for use. Also adding her voice, Ms. Doreen Makena said initially they were forced to take their little children to school to avoid them falling on the muddy road, which was also full of valleys.