By Christopher Omondi.
Residents of Migosi Ward in Kisumu County are voicing concerns over the state of the Donna-Transformer-Migosi Primary-Kapenesa Access Road, which has been in poor condition for a long time. Bumps and potholes are hindering effective movement for motorists and pedestrians, who are predominantly pupils from Migosi Primary, ECDE, junior secondary, and local residents.
The access road connects with Kakamega Road at the Donna junction and also at Kapenesa junction. However, the condition of the road has left residents disappointed with local leadership, citing negligence and favouritism from the County government. Other locals have compared the situation to the work done in other wards.
“We are really disappointed with the state of this road, straight from Donna, Obola junction, Migosi Primary to Kapenesa. For years, we have expected this road to be at least tarmacked, but nothing has really been done. The last work done here involved opening and placing murram, which happened nearly three years ago. We are therefore citing negligence from the county government. If you look at other wards, specifically Kondele Ward and Kaloleni-Shauri Moyo Ward, you’ll find that most access roads are tarmacked. During the opening of the road, they actually widened and broadened it, making it accessible to larger vehicles that evade police traffic via the route into Kondele flyover, exposing the road to further damage and potholes,” said Filis Dora, a resident of Migosi.
The road, which is close to a kilometre long, hosts various businesses and residential buildings, leading residents to believe that tarmacking it would enhance the flourishing businesses, including those operated by bodaboda and taxi drivers.
“Tarmacking this road will improve connectivity on this route, as motorists find it challenging to operate here. We’ve received promises from leaders who pledge to advocate for the construction of this road, only to fail once elected. It is the responsibility of the county government, through its various departments, to work on solutions, especially concerning the county revenue fund. We pay our taxes and deserve inclusivity in the distribution of county resources. It’s a shame that we have to create temporary drainage systems in the area just to manage the poor drainage caused by the negligence surrounding this road and the needs of the people of Migosi Ward,” Anne Achieng’ added regarding the state of the drainage.
