Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced a Ksh 39 billion road construction programme for Meru County, describing it as a step to open up rural areas and cut transport costs for residents and farmers.

The programme includes the Kionyo‑Kanyakine‑Muti O’Kiama‑Ketha‑Kanaro‑Mitunguu road, which Kindiki said has moved from planning to construction and is progressing well under a contracted builder.

A separate investment will upgrade 17 km of roads in Meru Town at a cost of Ksh 3.7 billion, with funding and a contractor already secured.

Kindiki said the government will tackle the county’s infrastructure needs progressively, completing each road “step by step” as resources become available.

Wider development package in Meru

The road upgrades are part of a broader package that also includes 21 market projects, water and sewerage improvements, and investments in electricity connections, teacher and health‑promoter recruitment, and school infrastructure.

Kindiki linked the infrastructure work to efforts to raise household incomes, noting that better roads will help farmers move produce to markets more efficiently.

Immediate benefits for farmers

The announcements coincided with a reduction in input costs: a 50 kg bag of subsidised fertiliser is now Ksh 2,000, down from Ksh 7,000 in 2022, and certified maize seed prices have been halved, with a 2 kg pack costing Ksh 300.

The seed subsidy targets roughly 40 million kg and represents an estimated Ksh 6 billion investment aimed at boosting farmer incomes.

Implementation timeline

Kindiki indicated that each road will be completed “step by step” as resources become available, with the government overseeing progress through the appointed contractor.