| dc.description.abstract | Improving the general road network in the rural areas has been used as a measure to
alleviate poverty and attain the Vision 2030. Beyond alleviation of poverty the importance
of rural roads extends to all aspects of development of rural communities including demand
for and access to health, education, information. However, most rural roads in Kenya
experience numerous challenges in their maintenance. This study seeks to focus on the
factors influencing maintenance of rural road network in Igembe South with the objectives
being: to determine the cost effect on maintenance of rural road network, to establish
political effect on maintenance of rural road network, to determine the technology effect on
maintenance of rural road network and to establish time factor effects on maintenance of
rural road network. The study employs a descriptive survey design using both qualitative
and quantitative approaches. The findings of the study include proper planning which is
done by expert and estimation is based on cost per unit as the method of approximation,
skilled labour, construction materials and machinery are limited thus affecting the total cost
of a project. There is political interference on prioritization and budgeting of roads projects,
the technology used in the implementation of project is not appropriate for the traffic
loading in the area and that projects were not completed on time. The recommendation of
the study includes: actual costs per kilometer needs to be established and the information
shared by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to all key stakeholders such as Kenya
National Highways Authority (KENHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya
Urban Roads Authority (KURA), County departments of transport and Infrastructure and
any other road agencies in the country so that a more informed opinion may be formed.
Inclusion of a better appropriate technology that would be used in rural road maintenance by
the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. Technology was too widely perceived by the
respondents. Political leadership was found to be the key influence, there would be a good
reason as to have all key stakeholders look at the wider societal benefits and a balance
between cost and political millage balanced. Both the national assembly and the county
assembly should clearly come up with an act and procedure on the extent of involvement of
the political leaders influence in rural roads development. | en_US |
