Kisii County Governor James Ongwae has called on the national government to transfer roads function to counties.
Governor Ongwae raised concern over the state of roads classified under Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) which are maintained by the national government.
Speaking at Turwa Catholic Church in Masige East ward within Bobasi Sub County, Ongwae said it is difficult for counties to fast-truck construction of national roads adding that members of the public often blame county governments for failing to do such roads.
Ongwae who was accompanied by Bobasi Member of Parliament Stephen Manoti and several Members of County assembly led by Haron Masase said the national government should only retain major highway roads and devolve others to the counties.
He said the KURA and KeRRA roads should be managed, maintained and developed by counties citing examples of Ufanisi-Makutano-Getare and Kisii-Industrial area-Nyamataro-Nyabururu roads which the national government has taken long to repair.
Ongwae said his government has prioritized road development to easy access and enhance mobility throughout the county.
He said in the last financial year, the county government built over 500 km of roads in all 45 wards up to compacted murram standard to ensure market access to farmers.
Ongwae added that in financial year, his administration is doing another 550 km compacted gravel roads and village roads in all wards and that all road works will be labour intensive thus creating jobs for youth and women.
He said his administration is working towards improving education standards, health services, rehabilitation of markets through street lighting and construction of sheds, construction of access roads and water reticulation.
Manoti hailed Ongwae for disbursing Ksh 3 million bursary fund to all wards and called on the public to support the current leadership and avoid disruptive politics that will disrupt leaders from implementing their development agenda.
