KURA Launches Sh20 Million Langas Road Upgrade as Ward Nears 100 Percent Electricity Connectivity
“For a long time, electricity remained a political promise. Today we are living that promise. Our homes are finally being connected, and we are grateful to Hon. Francis Muya for ensuring this project became a reality.”
Photo collage showing the transformation underway in Langas Ward, Uasin Gishu County:
By Hubzmedia Reporter
Residents of Langas Ward in Kapseret Sub-County are set to benefit from a major infrastructure transformation following the launch of a Sh20 million road rehabilitation project by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), alongside the rollout of a final phase of electricity connectivity expected to bring power to hundreds more households.
The twin projects, officially launched on Thursday, are expected to improve urban mobility, stimulate local businesses, enhance security, and complete Langas Ward’s journey to 100 percent electricity connectivity.
Speaking during the launch, Langas Ward MCA Francis Muya Mwangi said the rehabilitation of the Langas Loop Road, which links Langas Estate to Kisumu Ndogo, marks the beginning of a long-awaited solution to decades of poor road conditions.
“The Langas Loop Road was constructed in the 1980s, but over the years it has been severely damaged by rainwater and poor drainage, especially wastewater diverted onto the road by some property owners. This project will permanently address those challenges,” said Muya.
He appealed to landlords and landladies to take responsibility by properly directing wastewater away from public roads.
“We are asking all plot owners to ensure wastewater is properly managed. Protecting this road is a shared responsibility. Government can build infrastructure, but residents must also help preserve it.”
Muya said the Sh20 million KURA-funded project includes extensive drainage works designed to protect the new road surface from future damage.
According to KURA North Rift Region Deputy Director Eng. David Mutuohoro, the rehabilitation works will be undertaken by a local contractor and are expected to be completed within six months.
“The contractor has been instructed to prioritize local content. Young people from Langas Ward will be employed during construction, while most construction materials will be sourced locally to ensure the community directly benefits from this investment,” said Eng. Mutuohoro.
He noted that improving the Langas Loop Road is expected to ease movement within one of Eldoret City’s fastest-growing residential areas while reducing transport costs and improving access for businesses.
Sh7 Million Street Lighting Expansion
Besides the road works, Muya announced that an additional Sh7 million has been allocated for the expansion of street lighting across Langas Ward.
He said the new lighting programme will improve security, support businesses operating during evening hours and create a safer environment for residents and school-going children.
“Street lighting is not just about illumination. It is about security, economic growth and giving our children safer roads as they walk to and from school,” said the MCA.
Matatu Operators Welcome Road Upgrade
The road project was welcomed by Langas Matatu SACCO Manager David Kariuki Waruhiu, who said more than 300 public service vehicles operating along the Langas Loop have been incurring huge maintenance costs due to the poor state of the road.
“Our vehicles have suffered frequent mechanical breakdowns because of this dilapidated road. Rehabilitating it will significantly reduce maintenance costs, improve passenger comfort and enhance urban mobility within the rapidly expanding Langas Ward.”
Waruhiu pledged the SACCO’s full cooperation to ensure the contractor completes the works within the stipulated six-month period.
“As transport operators, we will accord the contractor all the necessary support required to implement this project successfully and on schedule.”
Langas Achieves 100 Percent Electricity Connectivity
In another major milestone, Muya launched the final phase of the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project, which will connect more than 300 additional households, officially making Langas Ward one of the few urban wards in Kenya to achieve 100 percent electricity connectivity.
The latest phase follows the successful connection of over 300 households in Yamumbi under a Sh30 million rural electrification programme jointly implemented by the Uasin Gishu County Government and Kenya Power.
The project involved installation of six transformers, erection of electricity poles and extensive cable stringing, ending decades during which many families had lived without electricity despite being within Eldoret Municipality.
“When I was first elected, many homes in this area had no electricity. Today, we are celebrating full electricity coverage across Langas Ward. This is one of the biggest development milestones our people have achieved,” said Muya.
He noted that through support from the Uasin Gishu County Government—which channels approximately 40 percent of its development budget to ward-level projects—Langas Ward has invested over Sh30 million in electricity connectivity.
“Residents have not paid a single shilling for these connections. The only requirement is proper wiring inside their houses. Government has met the entire cost because development must reach every household.”
Muya challenged Kenyans to hold their elected leaders accountable through development rather than political rhetoric.
“As citizens, we should demand tangible development projects from our leaders instead of endless one-term and two-term political slogans. Kenyans deserve quality services and visible development.”
Residents Celebrate End of Decades Without Power
For many residents, the project represents the end of decades of energy poverty.
Lilina Njoroge, one of the beneficiaries, said electricity would unlock new business opportunities for her family while improving security through expanded street lighting.
“This electricity changes everything for us. I can now think about starting a business from home and increasing my family’s income. The Sh7 million street-lighting programme will also improve security, especially for our children who walk to school very early in the morning and return home in the evening.”
Another beneficiary, Nduta Njega, described the project as the fulfilment of a promise residents had heard from politicians for many years.
“For a long time, electricity remained a political promise. Today we are living that promise. Our homes are finally being connected, and we are grateful to Hon. Francis Muya for ensuring this project became a reality.”
Long-time resident David Mwangi, who has lived in Yamumbi since 1968, said the arrival of electricity would improve his farming enterprise.
“For years we depended on kerosene lamps before moving to small solar systems with many limitations. Electricity will allow me to invest in dairy farming equipment and increase my income. This is a dream come true.”
Margaret Wairimu Kimunu said the project would greatly improve her family’s quality of life.
“The smoke from kerosene lamps affected our health for many years. Now our children will study under proper lighting, we can charge our phones at home, and our lives will improve significantly.”
Another resident, Kimani Mwangi, who previously relied on a small pay-as-you-go solar lamp, said reliable electricity has transformed his daily life.
A file photo of Kimani Mwangi at his Yamumbi home holding the solar lamp he once relied on before his household was connected to electricity under the latest phase of the Last Mile Connectivity Project. Mwangi previously spent Sh20 daily to access lighting but now enjoys reliable grid electricity. Photo by Hubzmedia.
“Sometimes I could not even afford the Sh20 required to keep my small solar lamp working. Having electricity in my home is something we waited for over many years.”
Boosting Urban Growth
The combined investment in roads, drainage, street lighting and electricity is expected to accelerate urban growth in Langas Ward by improving transport efficiency, enhancing public safety and supporting local enterprises.
With the rehabilitation of the Langas Loop Road now underway and universal electricity connectivity achieved, residents say the projects mark a significant step toward transforming one of Eldoret City’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods into a modern, well-serviced urban settlement.
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