President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday officially opened the Mwatate-Taveta road, constructed at a cost of Sh8.4 billion.
The road is part of the multinational highway linking the Kenyan town of Voi and the Tanzanian city of Arusha.
Kenyatta also delivered 20,000 titles to the people of Taveta, fulfilling a pledge he made that he would resolve their outstanding land issues.
The completion of the road is expected to increase the country’s business competitiveness by providing an efficient route for cross border trade and tourism while enhancing regional integration.
The improvement of the road network will attract private investors, improve accessibility to social amenities, reduce costs for maintaining vehicles and increase access to education and health facilities.
President Kenyatta said the new road will reduce the time it takes to travel from Taveta to Voi to only two hours instead of the more than six hours it used to take.
“This is the promise I made to you in 2013. I have delivered my pledges and even more,” said the President as he listed how the Jubilee Government has upgraded the Taveta Hospital and also improved education.
The President also issued title deeds to the residents of Taveta County, part of the 20,000 title deeds the Jubilee Government has issued in Taita-Taveta.
The President, who spoke when he addressed a rally in Taveta town, urged residents to vote for Jubilee candidates in the August 8 election so that he can have people to work with to deliver more development to the residents.
Deputy President William Ruto said the Jubilee Government has undertaken unprecedented development in Taita-Taveta County.
“Uhuru has just opened the Mwatate-Taveta road and has delivered 20,000 title deeds for residents and the Government has also upgraded the hospital in Taveta,” said the Deputy President.