President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua at the weekend launched the upgrading to bitumen standards of the Kyogong-Sigor and Longisa-Sogor-Chebunyo roads in Bomet.

The project spans a total of 60km and will cost Sh2.2 billion, including upgrading and routine maintenance during construction.

Road covers parts of Chepalungu and Bomet East constituencies. This includes the link roads Jnct B3 (Longisa)-Sigor-Chebunyo (40km) and Jnct B3 (Kyogong)-Sigor. The first 6km Sigor-Nyambugo section has been completed.

Main economic and social activities along the project road are agriculture, retail trade and learning institutions.

“Roads will open up the areas for more development, promote trade, reduce the cost of transporting goods, and enhance access to markets for farm produce and to administrative services, health centres and schools,” said the President.

Roads and Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who accompanied the President and the DP said: “We shall rehabilitate the Daraja Mbili- Chebole-Chebunyo road even as we look for funds to increase connectivity in the region by upgrading more sections.”

A total of Sh13 billion will be needed to develop low-volume seal (LVSR) roads, as well as bridges under a project planned to cover 324km, the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) says.

More than a half, or 250km, of these LVSR roads have been completed. Among the finished ones that were assessed by KeRRA to be in “good condition” are the Sigor-Nyambogo (6km), Silibwet-Merigi-Kembu (15km) and Leldaet Israel-Teganda (28km) roads, covering a cumulative 49km.

In addition, sections covering 135km have been completed, are in fair condition and will require maintenance to sustain their quality.