Farmers and residents in Meru are set to benefit from a Sh39 billion road investment programme aimed at improving access to markets and services, with the Government also cutting the cost of fertiliser and certified maize seed.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the road programme would open up more parts of the county and make it easier for farmers to transport their produce, while reducing the difficulties caused by poor road networks.
Among the projects underway is the Kionyo-Kanyakine-Muti O’Kiama-Ketha Kanaro-Mitunguu road, a route residents have pushed for over many years.
Speaking at Kanyakine in Imenti South on Friday, Kindiki said the Government had released resources for the project and expressed confidence that the contractor would complete the work as planned.
“We have sought this road for a very long time. I have seen that it is progressing well, it has started well, it is progressing well and we have a good contractor. This contractor will deliver. This one will deliver,” he said.
DP Kindiki said the Government would continue rolling out road projects across Meru gradually, with the pace depending on the resources available.
“We will do all the roads one at a time, step by step. Rome was not built in a day,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President said Meru Town would also receive a major road upgrade, with 17 kilometres set to be improved at a cost of Sh3.7 billion.
He said money for the project had already been secured and a contractor was in place, paving the way for implementation.
The Government is at the same time carrying out 21 market projects in Meru, including the Gakoromoni market, as part of wider investments in infrastructure. Water and sewerage projects are also being implemented in the county.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Kanyakine in Imenti South on September 9, 2026.
PHOTO/DPCS
Kindiki said the road projects were important to the local economy because better transport links would allow farmers to get their produce to markets more easily and improve access to key services.
The infrastructure plans come alongside measures to reduce the cost of farming, with subsidised fertiliser now selling at Sh2,000 for a 50kg bag compared with Sh7,000 in 2022.
The Government has also halved the price of certified maize seed from Sh300 to Sh150 per kilogramme from the current planting season. A 2kg pack now costs Sh300, while 10kg and 25kg packs are priced at Sh1,500 and Sh3,750 respectively.
The seed subsidy is expected to cover about 40 million kilogrammes and represents an estimated Sh6 billion Government investment aimed at improving farmer incomes.
Prof Kindiki further listed electricity connections, recruitment of teachers and Community Health Promoters, construction of classrooms and laboratories, expansion of technical education and wider access to healthcare through SHA among the programmes being implemented in Meru.
He called on leaders to give priority to projects that would continue benefiting residents for years instead of focusing on immediate political interests.
“Development is for generations. This road is not for UDA. This road is not for us who are here. After 100 years, this road will still be serving the people of this area, our children and our grandchildren,” he said.
The Deputy President said development also required residents and leaders to work together, noting that citizens play an important role in demanding delivery of projects.
“There is no leader who can bring development alone. He is assisted by his seniors, he is assisted by his juniors, he is assisted by the citizens,” he said.