Hope and gloom as Wajir County readies for first tarmac road
A section of Wajir Town. One person is feared dead and 12 others injured after twin explosions and shootouts were heard at Ngamia club in Wajir town Monday evening. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the 25km road is set for Monday next week.
- The lack of even a single kilometre of tarmac road in Wajir County is a clear indication of marginalisation.
- Some people were worried they their businesses would be affected by the new development.
Wajir County is soon set to have its first-ever tarred road.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the 25km road is set for Monday next week.
This follows the launch of the first survey of Wajir Town since 1944.
During the launch last week, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the tarmac road would be done in three phases.
Although residents were optimistic the road would improve the town’s fortunes, some people were worried their businesses would be affected.
“They are saying we will be moved to the new Soko Mjinga II market, but I don’t think customers will want to go to that new market,” said Ms Habiba Abdi, who sells vegetables on the busy Isiolo-Mandera road.
However, 32-year-old Hussein Gedi, who sells shoes on the same road, said he would be thrilled to see and walk on the first tarmac road in the county.
“Some of us have never seen how a tarmac road looks like. Although I might be directly affected by the project, I believe it will improve business in town,” said Mr Gedi.
