Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged that the government will upgrade the Mwea-Embu Highway to a dual carriageway, saying construction could begin by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
Kindiki made the remarks on Friday, September 18, while speaking in Ngurubani, Mwea, after opening the Wang’uru Huduma Centre and inspecting works at Karira Bridge.
He said the planned expansion would cover the route from Mutithi through Ngurubani, Kimbimbi and Samson Corner to Embu, before extending through Runyenjes, Chuka, Chogoria, Nkubu, Kariene and Meru to Maua.
“I’m pushing the government and the President to ensure by the end of this year or early next year this road is constructed as a dual carriageway,” Kindiki said.
The announcement comes amid renewed concerns over road safety along the busy highway. Ten people died following a crash at Murubara in August 1, while three people were killed in two separate accidents along the highway earlier this month. The crash involved a parcel truck and a tuk-tuk carrying farm workers. Police said the truck veered into the opposite lane while attempting to avoid potholes before colliding with the tuk-tuk.
Kindiki said the government is already undertaking road projects across Kirinyaga, with nearly 500 kilometres of roads under construction at a reported cost of KSh 37 billion.
According to a report published on Friday, the Kangiciri-Karira Hospital-Ngurubani section is part of a wider road corridor in the county, with 56 kilometres already blacktopped and the project reported to be 86 per cent complete.
The Deputy President also assured Mwea rice farmers that the government would purchase locally produced rice before allowing imports, saying funds had been set aside for the Kenya National Trading Corporation to buy the crop.
“We will not import any rice until we have bought all the rice produced in Mwea and all other rice-growing areas in the country,” he said.
Mwea MP Mary Maingi welcomed the development projects but asked the government to address water shortages affecting rice farming, including through the proposed construction of Nyamindi Dam.
She also asked for additional funding to facilitate the purchase of rice from farmers and expand electricity connections in the constituency.
Kindiki also criticised opposition leaders over what he described as “insult politics”, urging them to focus on their development record instead of insulting voters.
He said political differences should not divide communities, adding that leaders should respect voters even during political competition.
