Harambee-Musamba-Khaunga-Malaha Road upgrade to bitumen resumes

The Harambee–Musamba–Khaunga–Malaha Road is moving again. The long-awaited upgrade to bitumen standards has resumed, with the Kholera Ward section already complete.

The 12.5-kilometre corridor will strengthen connectivity between Mumias East and Matungu. It is expected to improve access to markets and essential services and make movement easier for residents, farmers, traders and motorists.

The State Department for Roads confirmed the resumption of works on the route. Completion of the Kholera Ward section marks the first tangible progress since the upgrade restarted.

Bitumen standards will replace the previous surface, providing a more durable and all-weather road. This is particularly important for the movement of agricultural produce and daily commuting in the area.

Improved connectivity between Mumias East and Matungu is expected to reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs. Farmers and traders who rely on the road to reach markets stand to benefit once the full length is completed.

Residents along the corridor have waited for the upgrade for an extended period. The restart of works and the completion of the first section signal that the project is again active.

The road forms part of efforts to improve local and regional linkages in Kakamega and neighbouring areas. Seamless connectivity remains a stated objective of the current roads programme.

Essential services such as health facilities, schools and administrative centres will become more accessible once the bitumen surface is in place across the full 12.5 kilometres. Motorists will also experience smoother travel conditions.

The State Department for Roads has highlighted the project under the broader theme of connectivity beyond major highways. Secondary and tertiary roads of this type play a critical role in linking rural communities to higher-order networks.

Progress on the remaining sections will determine how quickly the full benefits are realised. The completion of the Kholera Ward portion provides a visible benchmark for the rest of the works.

Farmers transporting produce to markets in Mumias or Matungu currently face challenges during wet seasons on untreated sections. A bitumen surface will reduce these disruptions.

Traders who move goods between the two centres will gain from more reliable journey times. The same applies to residents seeking services that are not available locally.

The resumption follows earlier delays that had left the project stalled. Official confirmation that works are under way again has been welcomed by those who use the road regularly.

Continued monitoring of progress on the remaining stretches will be necessary to ensure the entire 12.5-kilometre corridor is completed to the required standard. The Kholera Ward section already demonstrates what the finished road will look like.