In 2018, the national government initiated the ambitious KES 4.0 billion Ngong-Suswa road construction project. However, setbacks in its execution have left residents disillusioned regarding the promised economic benefits.
Originally slated for completion by December 2021, the 70-kilometer road linking Kajiado to Narok County came to a standstill approximately seven kilometers short of Suswa. Sections of the road have already shown signs of wear and tear, as heavy lorries utilized low-volume seal roads (LVS) for transporting construction materials.
President William Ruto, during the launch of the Riruta-Ngong commuter railway line, recently assured local residents that the Ngong-Suswa road would be finished once funds become available. President Ruto, while acknowledging the project’s deviation from expectations, stated, “We have completed 63 kilometers, and the remaining seven kilometers will be completed,” without specifying a timeframe.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku underscored the road’s importance for regional growth, describing it as a “magic road” that has addressed longstanding challenges and contributed to economic advancement. The road is considered a crucial business artery in the Kajiado-Narok economic bloc.
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Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngongoyo expressed optimism about the road’s completion, anticipating substantial growth in Ngong town and its environs. He mentioned ongoing efforts to engage the Ministry of Roads in expediting the project.
Echoing these sentiments, Kajiado West MP George Sunkuiya emphasized the road’s potential to boost livestock trade and agribusiness, advocating for prioritized government attention. John Lankas, a concerned resident, urged the government to prioritize the road, emphasizing its role as a cost-effective alternative route to Narok from Mai Mahiu road.
As residents anxiously await progress on the Ngong-Suswa road, the project’s delays underscore the challenges inherent in executing major infrastructure developments. Calls for swift government intervention to revive the stalled construction have gained traction, highlighting the pressing need for resolution.
