NAIROBI, KENYA (KBC) – The Government of Kenya on Wednesday launched the multi-billion shilling Kibwezi- Mwingi- Maua road that will when completed connect Mombasa at the coast to the town of Moyale in North Eastern Province.

The multi-billion shilling project will also involve tarmacking of Kibwezi-Mwingi-Tseikuru road that will connect the Kenyan Coast to Ethiopia.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka witnessed the launching exercise of the project by Roads Minister Mr. Franklin Bett before making a tour of the road network in the region.

Mr. Bett said the project will stimulate and accelerate development in the regions that will be linked by the road.

“I am sure once this project is complete, it will help stimulate and accelerate development in these regions that will be connected by the road,” said Mr. Bett.

He said engineering design of the two roads C94 and C93 were ready but required a bit of redesigning.

Mr. Bett however, asked engineers involved in the project to stick to the original designs, saying redesigning of roads will cost the government a lot of money since it will have to compensate those affected by such new designs.

At Kamuongo Bridge, the Minister instructed officers to speed up the rehabilitation work which he said will cost Ksh 600 million.

The Vice President who is also the Mwingi North MP expressed optimism that the project will open up the arid and semi arid region and stimulate business among other income generating activities aimed at uplifting the people’s living standards.

“It is through these kinds of projects that transportation problems facing traders and residents can be solved once and for all,” said Mr. Musyoka.

During the tour, the VP and his entourage inspected roads and bridges in Migwaini through Mwingi to Husueni.