Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has said his Ministry has completed the procurement process for the dualling of the Machakos–Athi River Turn off road in Machakos County.
The 20 kilometre road – being constructed at a cost of Sh5.3 billion – will ease the vexing traffic congestion on the Nairobi – Mombasa highway.
According to Mr Macharia, other road projects in the region include the Machakos-Kenol-Ngoleni-Kaani-Mutituni-Kaseve road that will cost Sh1.2 billion, Mombasa road – Daystar/Lukenya at a cost of Sh600 million and Machakos–Lukenya-Kenani-Athi River road costing Sh600 million.
Mr Macharia disclosed that the government has also set aside funds for the upgrading of Mathathani-Kathiani-Kavoleni road at a cost of Sh1.3 billion, the Sh732 million Mumbuni-Kathiani-Thwake River road as well as the Mathathani-Kaseve and Kiangala-Riuni roads each costing Sh800 million.
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa is on record as saying that the Jubilee Government has invested Sh122 billion in water and dam projects in the Lower Eastern region.
Among the water projects undertaken in Ukambani include Thwake Dam – one of the Vision 2030 flagship projects – estimated to cost Sh60 billion.
The dam will serve Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos counties including the Konza techno city.
The Government has already set aside Sh600 million to kick off resettlement of families affected by construction of the Thwake dam.
When complete, the project – which has a component for irrigation – will provide water to 1.3 million Kenyans and generate electricity.
Other projects highlighted by Mr Wamalwa include the Masinga-Kitui Water and Sanitation project that is estimated to cost Sh2.2 billion.
The project will provide water to 180,000 residents of Kitui town and connect 60,000 people to the sewerage system.
The Government has also invested heavily in the Managed Equipment Service in the Lower Eastern region.
The equipment include theatre, kidney, X-ray and ICU machines. Six hospitals in the three counties of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni have received state-of-the art medical equipment valued at Sh2.6 billion.
The Government has also set aside Sh500 million to finance health programmes in Kitui County.
Kitui and Mwingi general hospitals have been allocated Sh200 million each in the next financial year to facilitate their alleviation to level five status.
Other facilities allocated funds include the proposed Kanyangi Kenya Medical Training Centre (KMTC) which is 74 km from Kitui town and Mutomo KMTC which will receive Sh50 million each.
Kyuso and Tseikuru hospitals were each allocated Sh50 million while 16 dispensaries and health centres in Kitui County will also be opened, the Health CS said.
By PSCU.