Mati Road Opens Up Meru, Kenya Region After 30-Year Wait

A three-decade wait for a linking road between Embu and Meru via Tharaka-Nithi is finally over. The road project was proposed by the Kenyan parliament in 1989 and took almost ten years to begin construction. After numerous false starts and project deferrals, the construction, which started over 20 years ago, is finally complete. The residents of Meru, Kenya, Tharaka-Nithi, Embu and other towns along the new motorway are now experiencing an economic boom with the opening up of new business opportunities. 

According to reports from new road users, real estate, convenience stores, rest stops, and fuel refilling stations are some of the businesses bringing life to the region which is struggling to taste development. The 103-kilometer road passes through semi-arid areas that were previously cut off due to topographical challenges. New businesses are now springing up along the long stretch to cash in on the traffic.

While Kenyans, particularly those in the Meru region are beaming with smiles due to economic boom, there is a wider national gain. Below are some of the bigger reasons why Kenyans need to praise the completion. This is irrespective of whether they use the road or not.

Easing Traffic

The new road is helping to reduce traffic on the old Nairobi-Meru road. Up until now, the Nairobi-Meru road has been the default route for commercial and private vehicles. The Tharaka route is shorter and many drivers consider it safer since it is relatively flat throughout and has fewer bends. This makes it easier to traverse. The new road is also expected to reduce the time taken from Embu to Meru by one hour. This will go a long way in reducing the man-hours wasted using the old route. Commercial drivers will also save more on fuel. Consequently, those plying the Meru Kenya route may begin to enjoy cheaper fares. 

Road Networks

Despite the Mati road project taking so long to complete, it is part of the previous and current governments’ efforts to improve road networks in Kenya. Recent years have seen numerous projects most of which have been contracted to Chinese companies. The result is a tremendous improvement in road networks which is part of the Kenya Vision 2030 expansion of roads program. This has the potential of enhancing domestic and regional trade. The long-term effect will be the creation of job opportunities for Kenyans.

Land Prices

The opening up of the region has also led to a spike in land prices along the new route. On average the price of an acre of land has increased 10 fold since the completion of the road. Looking at this from a positive angle, more landowners will be willing to sell their lands. Subsequently, this will drive further development.  In an interview with The Standard Newspapers, the Tharaka Nithi Senator, Kithure Kindiki echoed these sentiments saying,

“Before the project started, an acre of land fetched between KES 200,000 (USD2,000)  and KES 300,000 (USD3,000). That has shot up to KES2.5 million (USD 25,000), with commercial interests along the route growing. Towns such as Gaitu, Chaaria, and Mitunguu (Meru, Kenya) will grow. We are going to see rapid expansion and they will flourish again like in the 1970s.”

Overall Development

Although the Mati road has taken longer to complete, the effects will be felt for many years to come.  The socio-economic benefits are already being experienced in the Meru, Kenya region and economists are optimistic that the increased commercial activity will improve the lives of Meru, Tharaka Nithi and Embu counties.