KeNHA Inspects Tarmacking Progress on Emali-Matiliku Road

KeNHA’s Lower Eastern Region carried out an inspection of the ongoing tarmacking of the Emali-Matiliku section of the A5 road to bitumen standards. Regional Director Eng. Wilfred Langat led the team during the site visit.

The project is moving forward at a steady pace. Asphalt concrete surfacing is currently underway on the stretch between kilometre marker 4+000 and 4+640. Crews are actively placing the final wearing course on the carriageway.

Asphalt compaction /Handout

The Emali-Matiliku section forms part of the wider Emali-Ukia road. It provides a direct strategic link between Wote and the Mombasa Road while connecting the region to Tanzania through Oloitoktok.

Once completed, the tarmacked road is expected to improve overall transport efficiency along this corridor. It will also enhance road safety for users and support the reliable movement of agricultural produce from Makueni County.

Fruit farmers in the area stand to benefit significantly. Better road conditions will help reduce post-harvest losses that often occur when produce is transported over poor surfaces. Travel times and transport costs are also projected to drop.

Men at work /Handout

The upgrade will cut down on dust emissions that currently affect communities living along the existing alignment. Reduced dust improves air quality and visibility for drivers, particularly during dry seasons common in the Lower Eastern region.

KeNHA noted that the project will strengthen regional connectivity. It is expected to unlock greater socio-economic opportunities for residents and businesses across Makueni and neighbouring areas once the tarmac surface is fully in place.

The authority continues to prioritise trunk road tarmacking projects that serve agricultural heartlands. Such interventions aim to lower vehicle operating costs and support faster movement of goods to markets in Nairobi and at the coast.

Emali lies at the junction with the busy Mombasa-Nairobi highway. Improving the link to Matiliku and beyond integrates local communities more effectively into the national road network managed by KeNHA.

Site teams are focusing on quality control during the asphalt laying process. Proper compaction and joint construction are critical to ensure the new tarmac surface withstands heavy traffic and weather conditions over its design life.

The inspection provided an opportunity to assess contractor performance and address any emerging issues on the ground. KeNHA officials emphasised the importance of maintaining progress momentum on this corridor.

Further sections of the Emali-Ukia project will follow the same tarmacking standards once the current stretch is completed. The authority has indicated that updates on subsequent milestones will be shared as works advance.