New roads bring life back to Nyandarua farms

For farmers in Nyandarua County, the struggle has never been with their crops, it has always been with the roads.

Each day, they battle rough, broken and at times flooded roads just to get their produce to market.

These roads have long stood between them and fair returns for their labour.

But change is finally returning to the highlands.

During a recent inspection of the Tumaini-Gwa Kiongolong-Kabazi stalled road connecting Nyandarua and Nakuru counties, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki delivered a strong message of reassurance: the era of abandoned infrastructure projects is over.

The road project, which spans approximately 27.5 kilometers, is located primarily in Nyandarua County, with a small section extending into Nakuru County. It consists of three key segments: the Tumaini–Gwa Kiongo stretch (12 km), Gwa Kiongo–Gituamba (8 km) and Gituamba–Kabazi Shopping Centre (7.5 km).

“President William Ruto has sent us here to check on this road,” said Kindiki.

“I want to assure the people of Nyandarua that this road will not stall again. It will be completed.”

For the region’s smallholder farmers, who grow cabbage, carrots, potatoes and rear dairy cows, good roads mean more than just convenience.

They mean survival.

Poor infrastructure has resulted in rotting produce, exploitative pricing from middlemen and long, gruelling journeys to reach far-off markets.

“This road, once complete, will ensure our farmers can deliver their produce fresh and on time.”

The Deputy President’s visit to Ol Kalou was part of a broader infrastructure inspection tour across the country.

He noted that this road is one of several being revived in the region, including in Ndaragwa, Kipipiri, Ol Jorok and Kinangop.

“This is not just about Nyandarua. It’s about opening up Kenya for business and economic growth,” he said.

But the government’s plan doesn’t stop at roads.

Kindiki also announced the construction of modern market facilities in Ol Kalou and beyond.

These new markets will include cold storage and proper infrastructure to help traders, especially women and youth, reduce losses and boost incomes.

“Traders will not suffer losses because they will be equipped with facilities to preserve the produce,” said Kindiki.

In addition, Nyandarua is among the counties benefiting from the government’s last-mile electricity connection project.

The initiative aims to ensure that every village has access to power, lighting up homes, supporting businesses and enhancing education.

“As a government, we are working to make the lives of the people better. It’s not time for politics, but at the right time we will fully delve into it,” the Deputy President emphasised.

“My work is to assist the President to deliver roads, markets, better prices for farm produce and development projects to every part of the country. That is my work!”

For the farmers and traders of Nyandarua, the visit was more than a political gesture.

It was a sign that long-standing promises are finally being fulfilled.

Under the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), infrastructure development is a key pillar for unlocking growth in agriculture, MSMEs and housing.

Improved road networks are expected to ease movement, reduce post-harvest losses and boost incomes, especially in rural and agricultural regions.

From dusty roads and spoiled crops to market stalls with cold storage and electrified homes, Nyandarua is on the move, from hardship to hope.