By Okong’o Oduya
Busia County, Kenya: County government of Busia is calling upon the National government to fast track the expansion of a 6-kilometer road stretch, Busia – Kisumu road from Korinda all the way to the customs along Kenya Uganda border.
Burumba ward member of County Assembly, Moses Ochieng noted that World Bank through Trademark East Africa had promised to work on the stretch while constructing the one-stop border post. Four years have elapsed without anything being done.
Ochieng urged the Kenya National Highway Authority to intervene for the road to be expanded to a dual carriage way.
He further noted that the poor status of the road makes Busia town look untidy and dangerous to the people of Busia.
“It is unfortunate that even after Trademark East Africa promising to expand the road from the custom to Korinda and renovate the taxi park, four years down the line nothing has been done. The road is in a deplorable condition, which is dangerous to this town, especially now that dangerous goods such as petroleum products use this road to Uganda and beyond,” he said.
Ochieng who also serves as the deputy leader of the majority in the county assembly of Busia noted that as a county government they cannot put county resources on the road, citing that it is under KENHA and renovating it will land them in problems.
Busia deputy governor Moses Mulomi emphasized on it, adding that county government cannot move in and repair the road by filling the pothole since it is the responsibility of the national government to work on the road.
“If we dare put a shilling on that road, the Ethics and anti-corruption commission will be on our neck to answer questions as to why we directed the county resources on the road,” he noted.
He further said that the government will do a follow –up to make sure that the road from customs to Korinda is expanded adding that Kenha has already designed the road and by February, the road will be under construction.
He challenged the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for failing to construct even a single road in the county saying that, in other towns, KURA has constructed more than one road unlike in Busia.
“KURA is unfair to us as people of Busia. We also pay revenues like other people in other towns. How come they get more services from KURA and we get nothing. We also deserve a fair share like other areas of this country,” He complained.
He said the county government obtained 6 acres piece of land at Mundika to construct trailer park a move that will reduce trailer congestion in Busia town.
He further noted that as a county government they will be revoking some of the title deeds that were given to private owners illegally, the ownership of public land within the central business district to allow development to take place.
He urged Busia residents to be patient adding that in the next few months there will be the improvement of infrastructures such as drainage systems and roads system in town that will improve the face of Busia.
This follows public outcry blaming the county government for failing to improve the face of Busia town for the last 7 years it had been in the office.
