A KShSh1.5 billion road project in Embu County is set to strengthen agricultural trade and economic activity in Runyenjes by connecting farming communities with key trading centres.

The project involves upgrading the Kivwe-Karingari-Kevote section of the wider 27-kilometre Kivwe-Karingari-Kevote-Nduuri-Kanja-Munyutu-Gorofa road corridor to bitumen standards.

Fully funded by the Government and implemented under the supervision of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), the project is expected to support farmers, traders and businesses along the corridor.

The region produces crops including coffee and nduma, but farmers have for years relied on a gravel road that becomes muddy during rainy seasons and dusty in dry weather.

Kennedy Munene, a resident of Makengi, said poor road conditions had previously made it difficult to move goods from farms and homes to the main road.

“Even when you had goods, reaching the tarmac was a major challenge. Now someone can come from home, get onto the tarmac and continue with their goods,” he said.

The project is also creating employment, with more than 65 local youth, both male and female, securing casual and permanent jobs through the works.

Construction began in April 2026, following completion of the tendering and legal processes and scheduled for completion by October 2028, with the actual tarmacking already ongoing.

The road forms part of the Government’s wider Roads and Transport Expansion programme, which targets the tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads and dualisation of 2,500 kilometres of highways over 10 years.

During his visit to the area earlier this year, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki said the government is building more than seven roads spread across the four constituencies in Embu County to spur economic growth and development.

“The government is building roads here in Embu and we will be launching new road projects in Runyenjes and Manyatta,” said DP Kindiki.

For residents, the investment is expected to strengthen agricultural commerce and create new opportunities for businesses and households along the corridor as construction progresses.