Is Ruto’s development agenda bearing fruit?
The Deputy President has urged the leadership of northern Kenya to seize the opportunity presented by the government’s Sh100bn infrastructure development programme that aims to open up the region.
The Garissa county government’s vision to implement an ambitious County Integrated Development Plan for the next five years has come to life after the deputy president made a tour and launched different projects.
The Deputy President commissioned the projects funded by the County and National Government in Garissa County and launched construction works of the 20km Dekabury and Garissa Ndogo-Sankuri Link Roads at a cost of Ksh. 480 million in Garissa County.
With DP @WilliamsRuto and leaders during the launch of the construction of Dekaburi, Garissa Ndogo – Sankuri link road, Garissa county. The road is being done by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority at a cost of Sh.480m pic.twitter.com/PXflnInD7Z
— Hon. Aden Duale (@HonAdenDuale) December 10, 2018
Speaking at the launch, William Ruto said that the construction of roads in rural areas will enhance security and ensure the region is accessible by road to markets, schools, hospitals; eases transportation of produce; ends marginalisation by promoting economic growth and creating job opportunities.
Also accompanying the deputy president was national assembly leader of majority Aden duale who said the projects were focused on supporting President UKenyatta to implement the country’s development agenda.
Echoing the deputy presidents words , Duale said that the project will provide cheaper access to both markets for agricultural output and modern inputs. “The roads are expected to transform Garissa county and create an enabling environment for investment, improve security, drainage system and service delivery.”
The Garissa Township Constituency MP also urged youths from the pastoral communities to take advantage of education opportunities like Technical Training Institutes (TTIs) to acquire skills that will make them competitive in the job market.
The project being done by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is currently at 48% and is set for completion in May 2019.
According to KURA, the project will add to the previous 24.87 kilometres tarmacked in the last seven years at a cost of Ksh. 1.6 billion. The roads are expected to transform Garissa county and create an enabling environment for investment, improve security, drainage system and service delivery.
My adminstration is committed to ending the perennial problem of access to water not just in Garissa town but in the entire county. The peripheral areas of Garissa town are set to benefit from the 6 county government funded boreholes launched by DP H.E @WilliamsRuto today pic.twitter.com/7qgTy8WAy6
— H.E Ali Bunow Korane (@HonAliKorane) December 10, 2018
Also present during the commissioning of the projects was Garissa Governor Ali Korane .
The governor who together with the deputy president launched 6 boreholes in Iftin and ADC areas said his government was commited to solve the perennial problem of access to water in Garissa by complimenting the existing supply.
Garissa Governor Ali Korane in July said the county was planning to tarmac 2,000 km of road in the next five year through donor funding. Work has already begun on some county roads including the 134 km Nono- Modogashe route.
In the current financial year, Garissa has allocated at least Ksh. 4.3 billion to roads projects out of the Ksh. 10.15 billion set aside for development.
Member of Parliament for Garissa Township and Leader of Majority in the National Assembly, Aden Duale who was also present during the launch said that rural roads provide cheaper access to both markets for agricultural output and modern inputs.