Residents begin to enjoy the fruits of devolution

In June 2013, a stakeholders’ conference resolved to map out and pursue development in various sectors.

The two-day Meru Rising Conference prioritised investments in roads, water, petrochemical industry, agriculture and tourism.

Two years later, the county government has begun the construction of roads through the cheap Malaysian probase standard technology.

A 10-kilometre stretch of Kianjai-Miathene-Mikinduri road is under construction on a pilot basis.

In an interview with the Nation recently, Governor Peter Munya said his government had made a “serious breakthrough” in infrastructural development.

The county government has already signed a Sh880 million loan with Malaysia’s Exim Bank to finance the tarmacking of 300 kilometres of roads in the nine sub-counties. The loan will attract an interest of 3 per cent per annum and will be repaid in 10 years.

“The good thing with this project is that it is cheaper than conventional road building methods. It also has a maintenance component because the Malaysian company will manage it for five years without extra costs,” Mr Munya said.

He added that the completion of the project would double the roads under tarmac in the county.

The road won the admiration of President Uhuru Kenyatta who toured the county in February.

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, National Youth Service officials and Taita-Taveta ward reps have visited the county to see the road.

During the President’s tour, the eastern bypass construction was launched. Once complete, it would reduce snarl-ups on the Meru-Makutano, Meru-Maua and Meru-Nanyuki roads.

“We have transformed urban areas into friendly centres for business. These projects indicate that devolution is transforming the country,” Mr Munya added.

RENOVATION

Kinoru Stadium is undergoing renovation to upgrade it to international standards. Once complete, it will be the third largest in the country with a capacity of 40,000.

The county has also laid emphasis on water provision by launching several projects.

Unfortunately, border disputes with neighbouring Isiolo County have hampered plans to launch projects in Tractor, Chumvi, Chumvi Yare, Gambela and Kisima areas, which are seen as key in unlocking the county’s potential in development. The Lamu Port and South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor passes there.

Mr Munya said for devolution to be more successful, the national government needs to be more proactive.

“The political environment has been difficult. There’s need for a lot of goodwill from leaders to facilitate devolution,” he said.

Isiolo County used about Sh20 million in a street lighting plan.

Tharaka-Nithi County will use Sh308 million to upgrade its roads.

Embu County has invested about Sh45 in building ECDE classrooms and renovating existing ones. The county also launched a 100 projects in the ‘100 days initiative’. A modern Sh15 million bus park has been put up in the town.

In 2013, Embu Governor Martin Wambora promised to transform the sleepy county into an industrial giant.

The town’s economy was dealt a blow with the adoption of the new Constitution because it was stripped of the Eastern provincial headquarters status.

However, the county has endured hiccups from the start.

A loser in the governor race, Kithinji Kiragu, lodged an appeal that saw Mr Wambora spend a lot of time, energy and resources in and out of courts. The case is ongoing.
Mr Wambora later embarked on drawing a County Integrated Development Plan covering all areas of social economic development, which included input by local professionals.