Uasin Gishu, Kenya – In response to the El Nino rains and potential flooding risks, the Uasin Gishu County Government, through its Department of Roads, Transport and Public Works, has launched an initiative to repair and improve drainage systems in flood-prone areas. Joseph Lagat, the County Executive Committee Member for Roads, has reported considerable progress in enhancing major drainage systems to prevent damage to infrastructure and farms.
According to Kenya News Agency, the county has focused on cleaning and unblocking drainages to lessen flooding risks in residential and farming areas. Teams from the department have been actively working on unblocking drainage systems in multiple locations, including Langas ward in Kapseret Sub County, along the Golden Gate-Kamunu Road, and the Maranatha-KK Road. Additionally, residents of Ziwa Ward in Soy Sub-County have benefitted from the grading of about 20 kilometers and graveling of 5 kilometers of new roads, part of an ongoing program initiated by Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration to enhance local infrastructure.
The County’s Department of Roads, Transport and Public Works is engaged in a comprehensive road construction program across all wards, aimed at transforming and boosting the local economy. Engineer Lagat emphasized that the construction of more roads across the wards would not only open up new areas for production but also contribute to the county’s overall development. Notable road improvements in Ziwa Ward include the Legebet-Dip, Siring’ana, Koria, and Kiborokwa roads. In Kiplombe ward, enhancements have been made to the Transformer-Kiplombe Road, Highlands Educational Centre-Baharini Police Station-Railways Crossing Road, Transformer-Yator Road, and Kambi Marakwet Road.
During an inspection of ongoing road works in Ziwa ward, Soy Sub County, Abraham Kiptalam, the Chief Officer for Roads, Transport, and Public Works, stated that grading work has been completed and graveling work is set to commence immediately. Emily Chumba, a resident of Tartar village in Ziwa Ward, praised the county government for the road improvements, noting their significant impact on facilitating the transportation of maize to the cereals board during harvest season.