The Commencement Date for the Construction of Sugar Belt Road Postponed
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- April 22, 2021
The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has postponed the commencement dates of the 63 kilometer long sugar belt road due to what KeNHA Director General, Peter Mundia termed as “approvals delay”.
The project which was initially set to begin last year October, is expected to transverse the sugar belt region of Kisumu, Kericho and Nandi counties, running through Chemelil, Miwani and Kibos before joining the Kisumu-Kakamega (A1) road at the Mamboleo Junction.
The road has been in a dilapidated condition for over 20 years, forcing sugarcane trucks to use the Kericho-Kisumu highway going through Awasi and Ahero.
KeNHA Director General, Peter Mundia is, however, very hopeful that the approvals for construction would be secured within the next week giving the go ahead for the construction works.
“We are in the process of getting all the required approvals which is the reason why works on the project is yet to start,” said Mr Mundia.
The construction of the sugar belt road is expected to ultimately improve trade in western region and beyond the border to other East African nations.
The road will also reduce travel time between Kisumu, Nandi and Kericho counties, thus ensuring faster accessibility and delivery of services as Mundia noted during the construction approval late last year.
Once works on the project starts, it will be completed under one year since it traverses a fairly level terrain and straight alignment.
The treasury last year approved KShs 11.4 billion for the construction of four roads among them the Kisumu-Chemelil-Muhoroni Kaitui road.
