By Johnbosco Muia
More than ten years down the line, the completion of the tarmarcking of the 28 kilometer Tala-Ol donyo Sabuk road in Mautngulu, Machakos county has remained a mirage
Road users have been delt a big blow especially during the rains when part of the road becomes impassable.
Several contractors who have been awarded the contract end up withdrawing without completing the project. It was supposed to last for less than three years when it began.
The Kenya Rural Roads Authority, which is handling the project, could not explain why the contractors had withdrawn without completing the work.
So far, about three quarters of the road has been done, with the remaining section being the worst for navigation, forcing drivers to divert to private land to proceed with their journey.
However, the completed sections of the road that have been poorly done are currently impassable due to potholes.
The remaining untarmacked eight kilometres strench to Oldonyo Sabuk market has been impassable, especially during rain seasons due to the deep trenches on section of the road.
On several occasions, national leaders who happened to tour the area for their political mileage have given hot air promises on the completion of the road.
Local residents have blamed local leaders and, in particular, area MP Stephen Mule for failing to put the right focus on the project by going it easy. This vital link of Ukambani to Central Kenya has a potential to change lives in the region, yet leaders continue to keep a low profile on matters related to the delay in the completion of the project.
"We know very well this project is under the docket of the national government, but surprisingly nothing is being done" said Mutisya Lole, a regular user of the road.
On frequent occasions, when asked about the project, the MP has always maintained to be on the top gear in pursuit of the road' completion.
Drivers using the road, including BodaBoda operators, have indicated to have incured huge losses in terms of tare and ware of their vehicles due to the extremely poor condition of the road in some sections.
"We wonder why it has taken so long to complete only a twenty-eight-kilometer road while in other regions much longer projects were done without any delay" says a resident of the area, Wayua Mutule.
The projection of the so-called "highway" according to locals is to connect Thika town with the rest of Kangundo/Tala and Machakos towns to enhance both commercial and industrial links between them.
Literally, the transportation sector in the route is expected to grow further with more public service vehicles increasing leading to lowering fares when the road is completed
The residents are demaning an explanation from the national government as to why they are subjected to this raw deal, yet they pay taxes as those from other areas.
If completed, the road will also connect Isiolo , Nyeri, Muranga and parts of Kiambu county with Machakos.
It is envisaged that businesses will grow and a new gateway to those travelling to Mombasa created.
Some matatu operators in the root complained that the delay in the completion of the road had stopped their desire to purchase modern vehicles which currently cannot operate in such poor condition road.
It is not known whether the national government will locate more funds to complete the remaing section of the road after the last contractor withdrew from the site mid-last year.
