Baringo: Youths barricade road, light bonfires in protest over poor state of infrastructure

Transport was temporarily paralysed along the Eldama Ravine-Torongo-Eldoret road as tens of angry youths barricaded the route and lit fires to protest against the poor state of the road.

Speaking at Mosomboriet and Chebusie as security officers helplessly watched, the youths said the county Roads executive had pledged to fix the road, but months have passed without any action being taken.

Matatus plying the Eldama Ravine-Torongo-Eldoret route were forced to divert to the Eldoret-Makutano-Eldoret highway.

“Our grievances have been ignored and Baringo county and national government leaders have turned a deaf ear to our plight. Sick patients and expectant mothers are ferried like sacks and boda boda operators are unable to access the road,” one protester said.

Efforts to reach Roads CEC Kibwalei Lekonaya and area MCA Ben Koech were futile as their calls went unanswered.

Two weeks ago, Lekonaya addressed locals who had barricaded the same road and pledged it would be repaired and despite agrader being taken to the site, locals say it has mechanical problems and is not fit for purpose.