HOW THE INCREASED TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IS TRANSFROMING UASIN GISHU COUNTY.

 

THE CHAMPIONS ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TODAY MORE THAN EVER.

Uasin Gishu County has had each and every other reason to make accessibility as mobile as
possible and this is a concept that has been in existence since the colonial times. The County was
amongst the most favourable white settlement areas due to the fertile soils and the good climate
that supports growth of cash crops as well as rearing of exotic breeds. 

In the post-colonial era and even most importantly in the times of devolution, Eldoret town the
epicenter in the County grew and keeps growing predominantly due to agriculture. This has been
so instrumental though there has been a strong advocacy for diversification while the same has
been adopted by the current administration. Today, the town is among the fastest growing in
Kenya with a number of factors including geopolitical location and accessibility as a priority
being among them. 

The County at the time of colonization had the Kenya-Uganda railway pass through it.
Tarmacked roads that linked the major agricultural stations were also build and all these were
geared towards faster transportation of perishable farm produce to market centres. The railway
line was used to transport bulk goods and it still serves that same purpose since wheat and maize
with high quality are produced in plantation farms. Cecil Rhodes at the time of African conquest
by British wanted to colonize Africa from the North in Egypt Cairo to South Africa in Cape
Town. British successfully conquered all states in this dimensional vast land except Rwanda and
Burundi, former Belgium colonies. This saw construction of the Great North Road that passes
through Eldoret town.

The County came to a conclusion of prioritizing infrastructural development since her inception
and especially roads. This would however bring the paradoxical challenge of growth in major
urban centers of traffic jam and congestion. All areas which focus much on growth of hybrid
maize and wheat are now easily accessible. The road inter-linkage has ensured principles of
economics with ceteris paribus in effect are actualized. Basically, the roads whether tarmacked
or upgraded with gravel or marrum have ensured demand of market goods is met with immediate
supply of the same. In the fiscal year 2019/2020, the County aims at achieving milestones in the
roads sector through the County Mechanical and Transport Fund.

The County is also accessible through air transport. The Eldoret International Airport has been a
requisite in transportation of flowers to largest Kenyan market in Europe and especially in the
Great Britain and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Other airstrips are also situated in the County and
hence its alluring nature to investors both locally and overseas. The County is still a producer of
flowers though the airport has also been used to transport others from Naivasha and Nakuru
hence its economic importance not just in the premises but to other counties as well.

The focus on having good road networks in the County will have such huge positive impacts that
will make expansive status of Eldoret town specifically to City status. However, a number of
challenges face the implementation of these projects. For instance, the delay to construction of
the by-pass due to lack of funds by the national government is a huge impediment to ease
congestion and traffic jam. This year's allocation of counties equalization funds might be delayed
due to the friction between the national assembly and the Senate over the amount to be allocated
which may eventually delay acquisition of these important duties.


About the author.
Kilonzo J. Mutie is an attaché at the County government of Uasin Gishu at the department of devolution, administration and public service management (communications and public relations). He also serves as the Secretary General of Maseno University Political Students' Association (MUPOSSA).

For inquiries, email:
kilonzomutie41@yahoo.com

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