The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has allocated Sh400 million for road upgrades in Bura and Balambala municipalities in Garissa County, with each municipality set to receive Sh200 million under a programme aimed at improving transport, trade, access to public services and urban development.
The funding follows the recent elevation of Bura and Balambala to municipality status, making the two towns eligible for financing opportunities that were previously unavailable.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama welcomed the investment, describing it as another milestone in the county's efforts to develop its urban centres and strengthen infrastructure that supports economic growth and public service delivery.
He said the new municipality status has enabled Garissa County to attract greater support from the national government and development partners while unlocking access to programmes that fund infrastructure and governance initiatives.
The governor also acknowledged the role of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in securing national government support for the road projects and several other development initiatives across the county.
Among the projects secured through the Cabinet Secretary's engagement with the national government are the establishment of the newly announced Level 4 Mother and Child Hospital in Galmagala, Fafi Sub-County, the ongoing upgrade of Balambala Hospital, the commissioning of the Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, and an agreement to ensure the long-term maintenance of radiotherapy equipment at the Garissa Regional Cancer Centre.
Other initiatives include the supply 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 to strengthen referral services at Garissa Teaching and Referral Hospital and Balambala Sub-County Hospital.
"I thank CS Aden Duale for standing with the people of Garissa and consistently lobbying for projects that complement our county's 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 the municipality status positions Bura and Balambala to benefit from a range of urban development programmes funded by the national government and development partners.
He noted that Garissa Municipality, Dadaab-Hagardera Municipality and Masalani Municipality have already received Sh626 million under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) Phase Two to finance road construction, water and sanitation projects, street lighting, markets and other urban infrastructure.
Governor Nathif added that municipalities are also eligible for funding under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP), which focuses on strengthening governance, urban planning, financial management, revenue collection, institutional capacity and public service delivery.
He further said municipality status gives the county access to financing and technical support from institutions such as the African Development Bank through its Urban and Municipal Development Fund, the German Development Bank (KfW) for urban infrastructure, water and sanitation projects, and the State Department for Housing and Urban Development for planning, infrastructure development and urban growth.
The governor added that Garissa's municipalities are already benefiting from technical, policy 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.
According to him, these partnerships are helping strengthen municipal governance, investment planning, economic development and the delivery of public services across the county.
"Our strategy has been to create municipalities because municipalities attract investment. That is how we will build better roads, improve water services, modernise markets, expand street lighting and create towns that support business, jobs and economic growth," the Governor said.
Governor Nathif said the county government will continue investing its own resources in road construction to improve connectivity across Garissa, reduce transport costs, facilitate trade, support agriculture and livestock production, improve access to health and education services, and open up more areas for investment.
He said the combined investments by the national and county governments are steadily transforming Garissa's urban centres into well-planned municipalities while improving the quality of life for residents across the county.
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