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{
    "id": 1592829,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1592829/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 297,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Lurambi, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Titus Khamala",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The Kakamega–Mumias Road is a vital transport network in Western Kenya, connecting Kakamega County to Vihiga County, Nandi County, Kisumu County, Bungoma County and Busia County, through which the road ultimately links to the Busia border. The Road also contributes to local economies, facilitating regional trade, connecting key commercial towns in the region, and facilitating transportation of farm produce, particularly sugarcane to the country’s major sugar companies, namely Mumias Sugar Company, West Kenya Sugar Company and Butali Sugar Company. Despite the significance of the Kakamega– Mumias Road, it has never been expanded to meet the increasing traffic demand since it was tarmacked many years ago when I was in primary school. The narrowness of the Kakamega–Mumias Road coupled with the deplorable condition, especially along the Mumuyukwe, Mahondo, Eshisiru Centre, Stendi Muhogo and Shibuli section, has been contributing to fatal accidents involving sugarcane tractors and trailers, motorists, including motorcyclists and pedestrians. Further, various feeder roads to the Kakamega–Mumias Road, particularly the Eshisiru-Esumeyia-Bushiri Road (Road C1) is impassable. Of critical concern is the Isasala Bridge along this road, which has partially collapsed but remains in active use, posing a serious risk to motorists and lives. There is an urgent need to expand the Kakamega–Mumias Road and upgrade its key feeder roads, particularly the Eshisiru-Esumeyia-Bushiri Road (Road C1), including restoration of the collapsing Isasala Bridge to improve safety, and support seamless economic growth in the region. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the following: 1. The plans by the Ministry of Roads and Transport and the Kenya National Highways Authority to expand the Kakamega–Mumias Road and fully re-carpet its surface instead of the periodic patchwork maintenance works that yield low value for public funds; and 2. The immediate interventions by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority to upgrade the Eshisiru-Esumeyia-Bushiri Road (Road C1) and reconstruct the collapsed Isasala Bridge along the said road, including financing mechanisms and the projected timelines; I thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}