The construction of the Sh7.4 billion Eldoret-Webuye-Malaba highway which links Kenya to Uganda is making progress. More than 70 kilometres have been tarmacked.

The European Union and the government are funding the project. The road, a key link in the Great Lakes region,

is expected to help boost regional trade.

Construction of the Timboroa-Eldoret section of the road will cost Sh3.2 billion while the Webuye-Malaba section will cost Sh4.2 billion. Maltauro Construction Company from China is building the Eldoret-Malaba .

The road has been expanded because of the heavy traffic caused by commercial lorries ferrying goods to the Great lakes region from the Mombasa Port.

Governors-elect in Elegeyo Marakwet and Nandi have said they will also prioritise the building of key roads especially in rural areas. "Development of the infrastructure will be of key importance so that it helps to spur general economic growth," said Alex Tolgos, Elgeyo Marakwet governor-elect.

Cleophas Lagat, the governor-designate of Nandi said good roads will spur growth of agriculture. "We meet as stakeholders in the region to draw our priorities but roads will definitely be one of the key pillars to tart with.

Other roads that have been repaired include the Eldoret-Nakuru, Eldoret-Kapsabet and Eldoret-Iten. The Eldoret-Kabarnet route is currently under construction. In Eldoret town, Kapsoya Road which has been in bad shape for many years is under repair.

The government requires more than Sh500 billion to repair or build roads classified as highways. Details from the Ministry of Roads indicate that the government has so far used Sh110 billion to reconstruct and maintain highways categorised as Class A, B and C roads.

Minister for Roads Frankline Bett had reached deals with the World Bank, the European Union and the Japan government for grants on the expansion and maintenance of roads.

The donors have given the government a Sh21.5 billion loan to build road by-passes in Mombasa, Kisumu and Meru. The Chinese government, the African Development Bank and other donors last year signed agreements for the funding and work on the by-passes in major towns. Plans to put up a Sh2.8 billion by-pass in Eldoret have been put on hold until survey work is done on a new location for the route.