Taita Taveta County is grappling with severe infrastructure challenges due to persistent underfunding, with county officials warning that the current allocation is completely insufficient to maintain the vast road network.
County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Arch. Martin Tairo, has raised concerns over the minimal budgetary allocation they receive, urging lawmakers to revise the funding model to better address the county’s pressing infrastructure needs.
“The entire infrastructure department has been allocated only Sh. 100 million, yet we are expected to maintain over 5,000 km of roads across 20 wards,” Tairo stated adding that, “This amount is insufficient to cover routine maintenance of the existing roads and opening up of new ones in the whole county.”
The impact of poor road infrastructure is being felt across various sectors, with business owners, farmers, and residents struggling to navigate deteriorating routes in different parts of the county.
During a recent road assessment tour in Kaloleni Ward, Voi Sub- County, the CECM met with local traders who expressed frustration over the deplorable state of roads. Business owners in Mwingoni and those operating along the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) corridor lamented that inaccessible roads were driving away customers and investors.
“I have lost tenants due to the poor access roads to my apartment,” one landlord lamented, highlight how infrastructure problems are not only hindering business but also affecting livelihoods.
Agriculture and trade which are two key pillars of the county’s economy, are also feeling the strain. Farmers are unable to transport their produce efficiently, leading to post-harvest losses while traders experience delays in receiving goods and raising in operational costs.
Efforts to secure additional funds for road maintenance have hit a major stumbling block after the national assembly attempted to withdraw money from the Road Maintenance Levy Fund.
Taita Taveta County was set to receive Sh. 220 million from the fund, which had been earmarked to support counties in maintaining roads.
However, a controversial decision by Members of Parliament to halt the disbursement of over Sh. 10 billion to counties has triggered a legal battle.
The Council of Governors has since moved to court to challenge what they term an unconstitutional move, further delaying much-needed infrastructure funding. This setback has left the county with even fewer resources to tackle its growing backlog of road repairs.
Faced with these challenges, Tairo emphasized the need for alternative funding sources, revealing that the county government is seeking partnerships with organizations like the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program (KISIP) to support infrastructure projects.
Additionally, Tairo reiterated the county’s push for a fair 50/50 revenue-sharing agreement with Tsavo National Park, arguing that such an arrangement would generate significant funds to accelerate infrastructure development, given that a large portion of the county’s landmass falls under the park.
To prevent further deterioration of road infrastructure, Tairo has called on Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to prioritize roads when allocating development funds.
“We must ensure infrastructure receives the attention it deserves. Without good roads, other sectors like agriculture, trade, and tourism will continue to suffer,” he noted while remaining hopeful that increased funding, legal victories, and strategic partnerships will offer a long-term solution to the infrastructure crisis in Taita Taveta County.
