The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) will invest KSh400 million to upgrade roads in Bura and Balambala municipalities, providing a major boost to urban infrastructure and economic growth in Garissa County.
The investment allocates KSh200 million to each municipality and is expected to improve road connectivity, ease transport, facilitate trade, enhance access to essential services and support the expansion of the two fast-growing urban centres.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama hailed the capital injection, describing it as a key milestone in the county’s urban transformation agenda.
He noted that the investment comes soon after the County Government secured municipality status for Bura and Balambala.
The Governor said the funding will enabling the towns to access development funding previously unavailable to them.
Governor Nathif also acknowledged the contribution of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. He credited the former Garissa Township MP, for lobbying for the road projects alongside other national government investments across Garissa County.
“Among the projects are the establishment of a new Level 4 Mother and Child Hospital in Galmagala, the upgrading of Balambala Sub-County Hospital, the commissioning of the Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, long-term maintenance support for radiotherapy equipment at the Garissa Regional Cancer Centre, delivery of seven modern obstetric theatre beds, a portable X-ray machine for Masalani Sub-County Hospital, a vehicle for the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre and two fully equipped ambulances for Garissa Teaching and Referral Hospital and Balambala Sub-County Hospital,” he said.
“I thank CS Aden Duale for standing with the people of Garissa and consistently lobbying for projects that complement our county development agenda. His support demonstrates what can be achieved when the National and County Governments work together for the benefit of our people,” Governor Nathif said.
The Governor said municipality status is opening new opportunities for development financing, noting that Garissa, Dadaab–Hagardera and Masalani municipalities are set to receive KSh626 million under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) Phase Two for roads, water and sanitation infrastructure, street lighting, markets and other urban projects.
He added that municipalities are also eligible for support under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP), which strengthens governance, urban planning, financial management and service delivery.
Governor Nathif further said Garissa’s municipalities are benefiting from technical and institutional support from development partners, including VNG International, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), Inkomoko and the Regional Desertification Foundation (RDF)/Dorsch Impact.
“Our strategy has been to create municipalities because municipalities attract investment. That is how we will build better roads, improve water services, modernize markets, expand street lighting and create towns that support business, jobs and economic growth,” he said.
He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to continue investing in road infrastructure across Garissa County to improve connectivity, reduce transport costs, support agriculture and livestock production, expand access to healthcare and education, and unlock investment opportunities in rural areas.
The latest KURA investment is expected to accelerate the transformation of Bura and Balambala into modern municipalities while strengthening economic development and improving the quality of life for residents.
