Every election cycle, politicians promise to tarmac a stretch that connects Manga escarpment to Motemomwamu and link it to the Kisii-Chemosit Road.
Sadly, the road has remained in a sorry state for years.
Residents have it that some politicians even say that they can use their own money to do the road that also links the highway to Manga sub-county headquarters.
“We listen carefully and hear them give false promises. Voting day comes and we remain as we were,” says James Mong’eri, a motorcycle rider.
Mong’eri’s views are shared by other users of the 11 kilometers road stretch that has been the talk of the day for many generations.
The road is approximately 3 kilometers from Kisii town. It has lots of tales and cultural links that can only be remembered by the aged and those who have lived to hear them.
Easily identified by tens of sign posts of important installations and institutions along that road, what those posts do not tell you is that the road is less travelled by.
Its poor state keeps away visitors who would wish to visit Manga, Ngoroamwaga (hole for the spirits) among other tourist attraction sites.
Unless you are keen, you may not notice the narrow, rough road that is one of the oldest roads in the Gusii region.
Bad politics and neglect have made the road remain not tarmacked for years.
According to David Asanyo, a native of Manga and the current chairman of Manga Morako Diaspora Welfare Association, Manga – Motemomwamu road is the oldest road in Nyamira County.
He says that during his youthful days, his parents told him that the Kisii-Chemosit road was supposed to pass through Manga then proceed to Nyabioto but it was diverted by the powerful forces back then.
“Elected leaders have been using this road as a campaign tool for their elections since 1992 but the road has remained unattended,” says Asanyo.
“As community leaders, we visited our MP Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba constituency), who gave us hope that the road was to be tarmacked before end of 2019 but up to date that has not been actualized.
We saw sign posts erected at Enamba and at Motemomwamu that construction was to start immediately but years later, to our surprise, the work is yet to commence,” notes Asanyo.
He adds that the people who often use the road are emotionally attached to it so much that every conversation that concerns the development of Manga will always center on it.
To demonstrate the concept of bad politics, he says the Kisii-Kegogi-Isecha road was tarmacked but when it reached at Enamba, it was diverted to Nyabioto while the people thought it was to stretch to Manga and then proceed to Motemomwamu.
Mong’eri notes that the road has been a nightmare to his business since it has many pot-holes.
“Whenever it rains, we change route to avoid the dangers associated with the mud,” he adds.
Sacred attachment
According to Dr. Gideon Moseti, an aspiring governor in Nyamira County, the road is significant to the history of the people.
He says that old records indicate that the Gusii people from all over Gusii land used this road on their way to their secret worship above the Manga caves, which they perceived to be sacred.
Other people argue that the Motemomwamu area was known as a place where people gathered under the black tree (hence the name Motemomwamu, derived from the color of the tree), to celebrate after winning war.
Dr. Moseti adds that due to its accessibility back then, the leadership set up Manga Ritongo law courts to help settle disputes.
He recalls that these facilities were later moved to Nyamira town.
Others were neglected and died out naturally.
“We are happy that the law courts have been returned and we expect the completion of the stadium at Manga will make the road another priority project,” Dr. Moseti says.
The road is maintained by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
“As times changed and interests grew, the region started to be neglected slowly and eventually this is where we are; no tarmacked road. Accessing other towns from Manga is cumbersome and no economic development can be traced at Manga, years after the British left,” laments Dr. Moseti.
He argues that there are benefits that come with a tarmacked road but it seems the political leadership of the region wants to use it as a campaign tool for their personal gain.
Both Asanyo and Dr. Moseti represent many locals’ views that there is urgent need to upgrade the road for the people to enjoy good connectivity.
“Because Kisii town is expanding fast to small towns of Omogonchoro and Kemera, Manga would be a great beneficiary if there was a good road network,” Dr. Moseti says.
A sign post erected at Motemomwamu by KERRA indicates that the road is among those undergoing construction cutting across the larger Kitutu Masaba constituency, that are financed by the Government of Kenya.
“We are optimistic that the road will be tarmacked eventually because the sign posts are still here and the construction company has toured this place twice taking measurements. We are such hopeful,” says Fred Mochori, another motorcyclist who plies the route.
Justus Mokaya, a local says that opening up Manga through the tarmacking of the road will make people utilize the resources in the area well.
“We have many trees here and the meandering nature of the road alone makes this place pleasing to visit and travel through.
If the government improves the road network, we will reap big,” adds Mokaya.
The residents living along and regularly using this road are hopeful that the leadership will take the matter into consideration and tarmac the road.
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