The tarmacking of road will ease travel via the Nairobi-Voi-Malindi route and boost tourism.

 

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto had promised that the road will be tarmacked when they toured the area during the Malindi by-elections in March this year.

 

President Kenyatta last Friday told residents at Alaskan grounds to commission the tarmacking of the road.

 

The Sh4.2billion project will be completed in 2019.

 

Hoteliers and tour operators said they have since independence been lobbying successive governments to tarmac the road.

 

Tour operators claim it takes them three and four hours to travel from Malindi to the park due to the bad condition of the road.

 

On Thursday, the Nation found tractors on the site at Ganda area.

 

Hoteliers and traders are optimistic of good business in Malindi with the tarmacking of the road and expansion of Malindi Airport.

 

Ms Maria Kadzo, a shopkeeper said the rehabilitation of the road will ease transportation of agricultural produce from Galana to the town.

 

Malindi town gets supply of fresh vegetables and fruits from farmers at Chakama Irrigation Scheme, Madunguni, Jilore and Baricho.

 

The road will also boost trade between Malindi and Voi towns as it will be easier for traders to ferry their products.

 

Thursday, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) Kilifi County branch chairman Philip Chai said they had been lobbying for the tarmacking of the road over the years without success.

 

"Domestic tourists from Nairobi will take a shorter time to drive from Voi to Malindi rather the longer route through Mombasa," he said.

 

Garoda Beach Resort resident manager Daniel Mwita was upbeat over the construction of the road and the expansion of the local airport, saying the projects would revive tourism in Kilifi County.

 

Source : allafrica.com