By Christopher Omondi.
The locals of Nyalenda A in Kisumu County are showing skepticism about the construction of the Anyange-Nyaori-Andhoga Access Road, which links to the Nairobi Road, due to its poor state and the amount of money that has been spent on clearing and opening the road. Residents have claimed that this project has been budgeted for in previous budgets of the Kisumu County government.
The project, which is financed by the City of Kisumu, falls under the responsibilities of the City Manager for Kisumu. However, residents have raised concerns over the repeated allocations of funds towards the project, including in the 2024/25 budget.
“The Kisumu County government should do more in terms of accountability for the allocated resources. If that is the case, many public officers should be called to explain why this project has been allocated funds, yet they repeatedly fail to make tangible changes to this road. The work they mostly invest in is the opening and clearing of the road, only to wait for another year when the road becomes bushy and shrubby, leading to yet another allocation for opening and clearing. What we really want is the complete construction of this road, as its potential is visible to everyone due to its connection with the busy Nairobi Road, which aids in connectivity. We also know that constructing this road will elevate the existing smaller markets in Nyaori, Anyange, and Andhoga, improving the standard of living for members of the Nyalenda community,” stated Tom Juma, a resident of Nyaori.
According to residents of Nyaori, Andhoga, and Anyange, the poor state of the roads affects the movement of motorists and pedestrians using the route. Other important factors, such as lighting, are neglected, making the road darker at night, with conditions worsening during the rains due to bumps and potholes.
“These areas are greatly affected during tough weather conditions, with a lot of dust during sunny periods that distracts motorists and traders along the route. We also experience dust and potholes during the rainy season, as well as darkness in most parts of the road, exposing motorists to greater accident risks,” said Clyde Ouma, a motorist operating along the route.
The lack of accountability from all the departments involved in the project is adding to the frustration of taxpayers, who deserve good governance from the institutions they trust to provide proper service delivery.
