Joy has engulfed residents of Githioro and Kamburu areas in Lari Constituency, Kiambu County.

For the first time since Kenya attained independence, a tarmac road is being built in the area.

With their faces expressing joy, armed with sense of hope, the residents – led by Reverend Godfrey Hinga – welcomed the project.

“Ndiyo mara ya kwanza na hata tunafurahia. Hata ukiangalia utaona watu wengi kwa barabara wakiangalia lami. Huwa tunaiona tu kwa mbali, Itatusaidia kwa mambo mengi kama kubeba majani chai,” he says.

‘Mashamba yatapanda bei sasa’

Another resident believes the tarmacking of the road will now help local farmers transport their farm produce to the market with ease.

“Hii ni kama ndoto tu. Mababu zetu walizikwa wakiwa wanatarajia barabara hii itawekwa lami na sasa imewekwa enzi yetu. Tumefurahi sana, ni wazi mashamba yetu lazima ipande bei.”

Lari MP Mburu Kahangara says the area will benefit with more than 80 kilometres of Mau Mau Road Project, which will open the constituency even more for business.

According to the legislator, the resumption of construction of the project is a witness that the government have started utilising taxes to develop the country.

Resident Engineer John Kimari said the project – which will cost KSh4.5 billion – is expected to be completed by March 2024.