Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has rolled out a Ksh. 33 million modernization project aimed at giving Kutus town a major facelift to create a more conducive environment for businesses.
The phase two project will include installation of 2,500 square meters of cabro paving, construction of pedestrian walkways, construction of storm water drainage systems, stone pitching, and extensive urban beautification through landscaping and tree planting.
To organize business operations and boost security for traders’ goods, the project will feature 10 fabricated container units housing 74 modern stalls. Out of these, 73 stalls will be allocated directly to local traders, while one unit will serve as a dedicated county revenue office.
In addition, the initiative will address long-standing sanitation and water challenges by integrating clean water points, washrooms, and dedicated boda boda sheds.
The facelift, implemented under the World Bank funded Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP), follows strategic efforts by Governor Waiguru to establish and operationalize the Municipal Board while sourcing donor funding to accelerate infrastructure growth across Kirinyaga.
While the project directly impacts approximately 100 traders during construction, it is projected to benefit over 500 traders, residents, and customers indirectly upon completion.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement, County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Cooperatives, Trade, Tourism, Marketing, Industrialization & Enterprises Development, Calbert Njeru, emphasized that local traders have been actively involved throughout the planning process.
“The traders who are directly affected by this project have been part of the journey. We have held several meetings with them and agreed that it is important for this project, which has come through our Governor to be implemented here,” Njeru said.
Njeru said that affected traders will be temporarily relocated to allow fast-tracked construction, replacing old structures, some dating back to the 1970s, with safer and modern premises.
“Some of the roofing materials here date back decades and do not provide a conducive environment. We ask for patience and support from traders and customers during this transition, as the final outcome will bring long-term benefits to Kutus and Kirinyaga at large,” he added.
Highlighting the urban planning perspective, CEC Member for Lands, Physical Planning & Urban Development, Rev. Samuel Kanjombe, explained that Kutus, as the County Headquarters, has experienced rapid population growth, now serving over 40,000 residents. This includes more than 25,000 Kirinyaga University students, local investors, church headquarters staff, and county employees.
“The population in Kutus continues to grow every day, creating immense pressure on existing infrastructure. Under Governor Waiguru’s leadership, we are reorganizing underutilized spaces to accommodate more traders and investors in a structured environment,” Rev. Kanjombe stated.
He further noted that the multi-phase project, stretching from the Cooperative Bank entrance toward the Kianyaga junction, will remove hazardous old roofing materials, including health-threatening asbestos, replacing them with modern prefabricated units. Subsequent phases will also focus on expanding public green spaces, recreation areas, and modern sanitation infrastructure.
Local business operators have welcomed the development, noting that it will resolve chronic challenges such as poor drainage and leaking roofs during rainy seasons.
“We support this project because it belongs to us and will directly benefit our businesses,” said Douglas Irungu, Chairman of Kutus Traders. “The promise of improved drainage, clean water access, and a greener environment gives us confidence that Kutus will become a much better place to trade.”
Lydia Kimathi, a local trader who has operated in Kutus for nearly two decades, expressed gratitude for the ongoing urban investments.
“Having traded here for almost 20 years, we are thrilled to see this place modernized. We thank Governor Waiguru for her vision, first by introducing cabro paving that ended our struggle with mud, and now by providing clean, modern stalls for us to work in,” she said.
