Uasin Gishu: Uasin Gishu County Government has taken significant steps towards establishing an asphalt plant, a move expected to drastically reduce road construction and maintenance costs while boosting infrastructure development across the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, Eng. Joseph Lagat, the County Executive for Roads, Transport, and Public Works, stated that the initiative is part of Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii’s broader agenda under his sixth development pillar on Infrastructure Development for Prosperity and Posterity.
The plan, which includes policy formulation, is in its advanced stages. Once operational, the plant will provide the necessary infrastructure to build and maintain roads at a significantly lower cost. ‘Governor Bii’s vision is to deliver high-quality roads that require minimal maintenance. The asphalt plant will cut construction costs by approximately 50%, freeing up funds for other critical development projects that benefit the people of Uasin Gishu,’ Eng. Lagat explained.
The County Government also plans to undertake large-scale road projects, ensuring all major roads are properly graveled and that every urban centre has at least one kilometer of tarmacked road. This initiative aims to improve connectivity and boost economic activities across the region. To support the plant’s operations, the county will acquire essential equipment such as rollers, crushers, compressors, drills, excavators, and dozers.
Eng. Lagat emphasized that existing resources, including trucks and tippers, would be utilized to maximize efficiency in producing asphalt mixtures. The asphalt plant will process raw materials like stones and bitumen, heating, drying, and cleaning them to remove impurities. These materials will then be mixed in precise proportions to create high-quality asphalt for road construction and surface paving.
The meeting discussing these developments was attended by Roads Chief Officer Geoffrey Kirwa Tanui, Directors Eng. Julius Ronoh (Roads), Eng. Benjamin Kirongo (Public Works), Eng. Linus Yego (Deputy Director of Roads), and Eng. Abraham Misoi (Acting Director of Transport and Mechanical Services).