Govt pans 5.5km bitumen roads in Kisii Town

Kisii Town is set to undergo a significant upgrade to its road infrastructure as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) plans to reconstruct approximately 5.5 kilometers of urban roads using bitumen standards. This announcement was made after KURA issued an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) questionnaire as part of its preparations for the project.

The aim is to address the substandard condition of most roads within residential estates in Kisii Town, where residents have long complained about potholes, muddy areas, drainage issues, and impassable stretches, especially during heavy rains.

Five roads have been identified for the proposed upgrade, with lengths ranging from 0.5 to 1.6 kilometers. These include the Nyaboke Flats–Kisii Eye Hospital–Genesis Pri Sch–Soko Mjinga Road, the Nyanchwa Hospital–Nyanchwa SDA–Equator Road, and the Nyanchwa Police Station–Getembe Secondary School Road, among others. The project, conducted by KURA, a state corporation under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, is being subjected to an environmental and social impact assessment process, which includes public consultations.

These consultations are expected to enable residents and other stakeholders to voice their concerns, provide feedback, and make recommendations regarding the proposed works.

The enhanced connectivity and improved access to essential facilities, such as schools, health facilities, businesses, and residential areas, are expected to result from the planned road improvements. Nevertheless, residents may push for the expansion of the programme to cover additional roads, considering the widespread deterioration of roads in several estates.

The rapid growth of Kisii Town has intensified pressure on its road network, leading to increased traffic and exposing weaknesses in drainage, road maintenance, and pedestrian infrastructure. If implemented as planned, the 5.5-kilometer project could substantially improve Kisii's urban transport network while offering much-needed relief to residents who have endured deteriorating roads for years.