By Andrew Mbuva
Residents of Makueni County are up in arms over the national government’s failure to allocate funds for the long-awaited tarmacking of the Emali-Ukia Road in the 2025/26 budget, despite repeated promises from local leaders.
The matter came to light during a public participation forum organized by the National Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriations at the Kibwezi West Constituency NG-CDF office in Makindu town.
The residents expressed outrage over the exclusion of the road project from the current budget estimates, terming it a betrayal.
Francis Mbatha, one of the residents, voiced the community's frustrations: “It is shocking to us that no funds have been allocated to this road despite the many promises we have been getting. I think it is time the government takes this matter seriously because this road means a lot to us.”
Locals say the stalled project has caused severe setbacks, including post-harvest losses and limited access to markets, schools, and health facilities.
The residents also urged the government to complete the Thwake Multipurpose Dam, located along the Makueni-Machakos border. They argued that the dam holds the key to solving the region’s persistent water shortages and declining agricultural productivity due to erratic rainfall.
Youth unemployment and stalled infrastructure projects also dominated the discussions, with calls for the completion of Wote Stadium. Mbatha noted that the unfinished stadium has deprived the youth of opportunities and stifled the region’s sports tourism potential.
Teachers’ representatives, led by Mr. Morris Nduva, raised concerns over the potential scrapping of hardship allowances.
They also pushed for the establishment of CBC model centres in Mtito Andei, Kambu Township, Machinery Township, and Kinyambu Primary School, highlighting the lack of adequate facilities like science laboratories for Junior Secondary School students.
Area MP Mwengi Mutuse assured residents that their concerns would be considered.
“It is good to understand the fiscal environment we are in, which is very tight, and we don’t want to introduce more taxes that will hurt Kenyans. We will do our best to factor in every proposal you have given us today,” said Mutuse.
Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia addressed the plight of senior citizens, revealing that a Bill to lower the age threshold for monthly stipends from 70 to 65 is currently before Parliament.
Committee Chairperson and Baringo County MP Florence Jematia concluded the session by assuring residents that their proposals had been recorded.
She also urged them to safeguard public infrastructure, noting that funds spent on repairing vandalized structures could be better utilized for new projects.
