Loitoktok,
Sunday, May 5, 2024
KNA by Kimani Tirus
Transport and businesses in Rombo came to a standstill better part of Friday after residents blocked Ilasit- Njukini road over its poor state.
The furious residents lit bonfires and demonstrated along the road blaming the current and previous governments for ignoring their cry for a long time.
They complained that leaders have been making empty promises of upgrading the road to butimen standard since the Moi era but they have not fulfilled the pledges up to date.
Isaac Tipape, a resident from Rombo pointed out that empty promises have led to the road getting worse particularly during the ongoing rainy season.
Tipape further noted that due to poor state of the road, those in transport business were forced to undertake frequent repair of their vehicles leading to losses which might force some of them out of business.
On his part, John Kimeu, a farmer in Rombo said the farmers were incurring losses as they were unable to access both local and international markets for their produce due to poor state of the road.
He lamented that the promise by Cabinet Secretary in charge of Transport Kipchumba Murkomen early this year for provision of graders to commence upgrading exercise by March was yet to be fulfilled.
Another resident, Grace Wanjiku, pointed out that expectant women faced the worst nightmare as some were forced to give birth along the road on their way to health facilities due to poor state of the road.
She called upon the local leaders as well as the government to move with speed to ensure they upgrade the road.
They noted that Ilasit– Njukini road was crucial in business between Kenya and Tanzania especially in agricultural produce owing to the fact that Rombo is a food basket in the region.
They called upon the local leaders and the government to fast track the upgrading of the road to cushion them against the agony they were undergoing.
Courtesy; KNA
