Residents in Nyamira and Bungoma counties took to the streets on Tuesday to protest the worsening state of roads, accusing the government of reneging on promises made by President William Ruto during his tenure as deputy president.
The demonstrators blocked key routes and paralyzed transport services, demanding immediate rehabilitation of roads they said had become nearly impassable despite repeated pledges of tarmacking and upgrades.
Broken Pledges in Nyamira
In Nyamira County, angry locals marched along the Manga–Mote–Momwamu Road, carrying placards and chanting slogans condemning what they termed as years of neglect.
The residents recalled that during his 2022 campaign trail, then–Deputy President Ruto had promised that construction on the road would begin “immediately,” alongside other regional infrastructure projects.
“Tutaweka sahihi na watu wa Nyamira mtuambie barabara gani ni muhimu kwenu,” Ruto had told a crowd in Nyamira in May 2022, urging locals to identify priority routes for development.
Three years later, however, the promise remains unfulfilled. The road, which connects several farming communities, has become nearly impassable, particularly during the rainy season.
“Nakumbuka alikuja na CS Duale na kusema hii barabara itawekwa lami, tumengoja hatujui itakuja lini,” lamented Douglas Ngare, a resident of Manga.
Others said the poor state of the road has crippled daily movement and trade.
“Haipitiki ata magari ya kubeba makaratasi zinakwama kwa matope,” said Geoffrey Mombinya, another resident.
Motorists described the route as a nightmare, with sections filled with potholes and deep mud, forcing locals to push vehicles to pass through.
Economic Strain in Bungoma
In Lwakhaka, Bungoma County, hundreds of residents blocked the Kenya–Uganda border road, citing years of government inaction.
The busy trade route connects Kenya’s Western corridor to Uganda and serves as a major channel for cross-border commerce. However, sections of the road have deteriorated so badly that movement of goods has slowed to a crawl.
“Barabara ni mbaya kuenda hadi Bungoma, magari yetu yanakwama kila siku,” complained Joy Nelima, a trader in Lwakhaka.
The protest, which brought business to a standstill for hours, left dozens of trucks and travellers stranded on both sides of the border.
“Viongozi muwajibike. Barabara ya kuingia Uganda iko sawa, yetu ndio mbovu,” said Peter Kituyi, a driver who frequently ferries goods between Bungoma and Mbale.
Residents said repeated appeals to the county and national governments had gone unanswered, with only periodic grading done before political visits.
Growing Frustration Across Counties
The two protests highlight rising public frustration in Western Kenya over the government’s unmet infrastructure promises. Locals say the poor condition of rural and border roads has hampered trade, raised transport costs, and isolated communities during emergencies.
Farmers in Nyamira complain that their produce often rots before reaching markets, while cross-border traders in Bungoma say delays have made them lose business to Ugandan competitors.
“Wakati mvua inanyesha, hakuna magari yanapita. Tunabaki kufungiwa vijijini,” said one protester in Manga.
Residents warned that if the government fails to act, the demonstrations will continue.
“Hatutakubali wanasiasa kutumia barabara hii kama ahadi ya kampeni tena,” said Douglas Ngare, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
Calls for Urgent Action
Local leaders have been urged to take up the issue before it escalates further. Civil society groups in Nyamira and Bungoma have called for audits of government road projects and timelines to ensure accountability.
Transport analysts say Kenya’s rural infrastructure backlog remains a key barrier to economic growth, especially in agricultural regions that rely heavily on road networks.
Residents are now appealing to the Ministry of Roads and Transport to prioritize the Manga–Mote–Momwamu and Lwakhaka–Bungoma roads in the next financial year, saying the situation has gone from inconvenience to crisis.
