Kerugoya-Kutus municipality gets Sh142m facelift

Kerugoya-Kutus Municipality in Kirinyaga will now undergo a major facelift after the county government initiated programmes worth Sh142 million.

The programmes involve building of car parks, improvement of town streets and pedestrian paths and improving the municipality’s drainage system.

The facelift projects are being implemented under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), a collaboration between the Kirinyaga County Government and the World Bank.

While giving an update on the projects, Governor Anne Waiguru said phase one of the programme is already complete while the second phase will be completed in the next six months.

In the initial phase of the KUSP programme, Sh71.2 million was used for the construction of parking lots in Kutus, Kerugoya fresh produce market, a day-care centre and a storage unit at Kaitheri Apparel Factory in Kerugoya.

Met grant conditions

Kerugoya-Kutus Municipality is among seven out of 59 municipalities countrywide which met the World Bank’s minimum KUSP grant conditions, hence qualifying for subsequent funding. 

Ms Waiguru added that the facelift will benefit residents and traders, improve the county’s revenue collection and also create jobs for up to 1,000 people through public and private transport services.

Kerugoya open-air market chairman Samuel Mwangi noted that the new marketplace has provided a more conducive business environment for traders.

The market’s secretary, Janet Kibuchi, said it is now safer for women to do business there.