Road construction going on in Wajir. | image source: the-star.co.ke
More than 50 years after independence, one of the oldest colonial towns in the former Northern Frontier District is finally getting tarmac road.
The first ever tarmac roads in Wajir town have created quite a buzz among residents of whom most do not mind the diversions caused by closed roads under construction, although some complain about the dust.
Businessman Mohamed said residents are excited about the project that will give the town a facelift and open up trade.
“This is a very noble idea and I appeal to the county government to open other access roads within the town and as well expand the tamarcking to the roads in other subcounties,” he said.
Speaking when he inspected the roadworks on Monday, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the 28km road network will be complete by the end of the year.
Construction of the road network, one of the flagship projects of his administration, began in 2013 and will cost KES 1.2 billion.
Admitting he had never seen tarmac before "with my eyes", Mohamed said residents welcome the development.
"We are excited. We have been waiting for it for the last two years," he said.
Development worker, Ismail Hussein, said the price of land has increased in the town, thanks to the tarmac.
“I flew from Nairobi this morning to buy a piece of land. I was surprised it is five time more than I expected," Hussein said.
"I never thought land in Wajir would cost so much."
- The STAR