Machakos steps up road works with new fleet under Barabara Mashinani programme

The rollout follows the launch of a modern fleet of road construction equipment by Governor Wavinya Ndeti under the Barabara Mashinani – Connecting Communities programme. Graders and rollers are already at work opening up and rehabilitating key access roads across the county’s 40 wards.

The new fleet comprises 10 graders, two heavy-duty rollers, and a wheel loader, equipment the county government says will strengthen its capacity to carry out road works more efficiently and expand access to markets, schools, and health facilities.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Ndeti said the programme aims to support economic activity and improve service delivery by ensuring reliable road networks.

“Roads are the veins of our economy. When they are impassable, farmers cannot reach markets and traders cannot do business,” she said.

She added that the county will now be able to undertake more works in-house, reduce reliance on private contractors, and cut operational costs.

According to county officials, since the start of the Rapid Response Initiative (RRI), more than 3,158 kilometres of roads have been graded, 140 kilometres of bitumen roads maintained, and drainage, murraming, and gravelling works carried out to improve all-weather access.

Several roads have also been upgraded to bitumen standards, including the Katangi–Kithimani Road in Yatta, the Kathalani–Kaviani–Nzaikoni Road in Kathiani, and the Kincar–Airways–Muungano Police Road in Mavoko.

The county government says the ongoing works are intended to improve mobility, support trade, and lower transport costs for residents, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.