Rwathia Farm Residents Take Matters Into Their Own Hands, Begin Repair of 5km Road After Years of Neglect Nyahururu, Igwamiti Ward, Laikipia County.
In a bold act of defiance and self-determination, residents of Rwathia Farm in Nyahururu have begun repairing a 5-kilometre stretch of road after years of unfulfilled promises and what they term as “total neglect” by the local leadership.The initiative, spearheaded by local youths, comes after repeated appeals to the county government and area leaders failed to yield results.
According to residents, the poor state of the road has for years disrupted transport, trade, access to schools, and emergency services — with no meaningful intervention from the authorities especially the area MCA Hon Irene Wacuka of Igwamiti Ward.Frustrated but determined, the youths mobilised resources through a community WhatsApp group, pooling funds, tools, and labour to rehabilitate the road themselves. Early morning scenes today showed young men and women clearing bushes, filling potholes, and grading sections of the road — a task meant to be handled by local government agencies.Residents have openly faulted the area Member of County Assembly (MCA), Hon. Irene Wachuka, accusing her of failing the community despite a two-year-long appeal to address the road. They claim that numerous follow-ups, meetings, and written requests were met with silence or empty assurances.
“We have cried for two years. Nothing happened. We are tired of waiting,” said one resident. “If leaders cannot serve us, we will serve ourselves.”The road repair effort is being led by Paul Mihang’o, an aspiring Senator for Laikipia County and a native of Rwathia Farm. Mihang’o, who joined residents on the ground, said the move reflects deep-rooted anger and disappointment with the current leadership.
“This is not just about a road,” Mihang’o stated. “It is about dignity, accountability, and leadership that works for the people. None of the projects proposed to the county government or the CDF office for Rwathia Farm have been implemented. This is a complete failure of representation.”
Residents echoed the sentiment, describing the situation as symbolic of wider governance failures in the county. Many said the self-funded road project is a protest against leaders who only resurface during election seasons.Political analysts say the development could significantly shape the local political landscape, especially as grassroots movements increasingly challenge elected leaders over service delivery failures.As the sun set over Rwathia Farm, the sound of shovels and graders continued — a powerful image of a community that has chosen action over promises, and unity over neglect.
Area residents are predominantly farmers and they have lately faced the challenge of ferrying their farm produce to the nearby Nyahururu Market. They reported that even brokers who would come to their farms to buy the farm products mo longer visit or call since the road condition causes them more losses attributed to their vehicles breaking down or getting stuck in the mud.
Transport along the road had become a nightmare. Taxi drivers don’t take rides to Rwathia as that means a date with the mechanic after the trip. What would ordinarily cost KShs100 on a motor bike ride now cost KSh. 400 and a whooping 1200 for a taxi ride from Nyahururu town.
Residents vowed to continue pressuring the authorities to allocate resources to maintain the road in a motorable state.
