A quiet village in Kenya’s Nyandarua County turned into a scene of public outcry this week, as frustrated residents protested what they called a botched and dangerous road repair.
The two-kilometre stretch in Booster Uhuru village, Tumaini Ward an essential route for dairy and vegetable farmers was recently resurfaced using machine-cut building blocks. Locals say the contractor’s choice of material has made the road nearly unusable, with uneven surfaces and loose stones damaging vehicles and produce alike.
The road, located in the heart of Olkalou Constituency, links farms to key markets. Residents now say the repair has done more harm than good. Transporting milk and perishable crops has become riskier and costlier, with delays leading to spoilage and losses.
The core of the frustration lies in the use of the wrong material. Residents say they expected murram or proper road-grade gravel, not stone blocks more suited for walls and buildings. For them, the project signals not only poor planning, but also a disregard for their needs as farmers who rely on dependable infrastructure.
The protest has placed pressure on Nyandarua County officials to respond. While no official statement has been issued, the demand from the community is clear: repair the road properly and hold the contractor accountable.
The situation in Booster Uhuru village reflects a broader issue felt across many rural counties in Kenya where infrastructure projects often fail to meet basic standards, and the burden falls hardest on farmers and low-income earners. For now, residents say they’ll keep speaking up until the work is done right.
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