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Kitutu Masaba roads slow down campaigns

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Published on Friday, 18 November 2011 09:41

The poor state of roads in Kitutu Masaba constituency yesterday hampered campaigns of aspirants who traversed the constituency to solicit for votes. At one time, supporters of two aspirants were forced to join hands to pull vehicles which were stuck in mud due to heavy downpour.

Despite their party affiliations, supporters of Timothy Bosire of ODM and Henry Onsinyo Obwaya of PPK spent most of their campaign time pushing vehicles along Nyachichi-Nyamarambe Road in Manga which was rendered inaccessible by the rains. Majority of the candidates in the by-election scheduled for 28 this month are capitalising on the poor state of infrastructure to put immediate former MP Walter Nyambati on his defense.

Speaking in Nyamarambe, Bosire who has since resorted to off-road campaigns said that it was unfortunate that the constituency which relies on agriculture has no good roads. “It is shameful that the constituency is lagging behind in terms of infrastructure especially in road network. It is also shameful for a leader who has been in office for four years to claim that he has brought development here,” Bosire said. “The outcome of the election will heavily be influenced by the state of the roads.The constituents have the opportunity to elect somebody whom they deem best among the 15,” he added.

Obwaya in his part criticised Nyambati saying he had done a disservice to the constituents for the period he has been in parliament saying that it is high time to have a new MP. “I am urging the electorate to choose a development-conscious leader and should not listen to cheap propaganda being spread around by any candidate,” Obwaya said.

He also advised the electorate to elect a leader who will articulate their interests in parliament saying that Nyambati never in any given day raised a question regarding the problems they faced. A resident, Robert Nyakundi complained that access roads in the area are impassable during the rains and this has greatly impacted on agricultural activities and handling cases of emergencies like rushing patients to hospital.

Another resident Dalius Kabesa said the poor infrastructure had contributed to poverty levels in the constituency because farmers were unable to move their produce from their farms to outside markets. His sentiments were backed by Peter Osiago who added that the way previous MPs used funds from CDF and other kitties was wanting.

Osiago said the constituency needs a leader who will put their interests at heart by making the best use of devolved funds and champion their cause in parliament. There are only two tarmac roads linking Kisii and Kericho towns that cut through the lower and upper sides of Kitutu Masaba constituency. Bosire lamented that the constituency’s roads are in a deplorable condition and had derailed campaigns and development.