By Elizabeth Angira
Bobasi Constituency Legislator Innocent Obiri Momanyi, representing Kisii County, has expressed his concerns over sustained demonstrations by local residents regarding the deplorable road network in the area.
He has accused his alleged detractors of organizing a hoax and misleading the public.
The residents of the area have threatened to push for the recall of their Member of Parliament due to his failure to facilitate the tarmacking of the 20-kilometer Igare-Nyacheki road, which they consider to be in a pathetic state.
Early this week, the residents held demonstrations along the road, and they have vowed to continue protesting monthly until the MP takes action.
Speaking at a funeral in Keigamere village in Bobasi Constituency, the MP defended himself, stating that the 13-kilometer Igare-Materio-Nyacheki road, which is referred to as impassable, is actually an all-weather road and not as bad as claimed by the locals.
He stated that he could not identify the specific section of the road that was badly damaged, which led the residents to plant banana stems as a form of protest.
The MP accused his political detractors of mobilizing a section of the residents to create fake videos of the road’s condition and spread them on social media.
He believes that these demonstrations and videos are meant to tarnish his image.
According to the legislator, the road in question falls under the jurisdiction of the county government.
However, he claimed that he had already resolved to apply murram (gravel) to improve its condition, despite being accused of neglecting it.
The MP assured the electorate of his commitment to grading the road while awaiting funds from the National Treasury.
He notified his detractors that the electorate is well-informed and will have the opportunity to vote for a leader of their choice in the upcoming general elections.
“I urge do not be misled by some individuals who want to tarnish my name,” said Obiri .
The residents have repeatedly appealed to the legislator to repair the road, stating that it has been ignored despite being rendered impassable during torrential rains.
The MP said that the contractors are on the site and have commenced the work doing regular maintenance of the roads to motorable standards as they push for tarmac. Igare-Matierio-Borangi, Nyamache-Mogonga, Mogonga-Emenwa, Riamamwana-Riamarube-Nyambunde, Nyamokenye-Kenyerere and Rise-Nyambunde .
He assured the residents they are working towards ensuring they secure additional mileage of tarmac this term as a more long term solution to infrastructure challenges.
The MP has promised the residents to remain calm as plans are underway to apply murram and improve the road’s condition.
Elizabeth Angira is a trailblazing climate journalist whose work bridges science, policy, and human impact. As Senior Climate Reporter at The Mount Kenya Times, she leads in-depth coverage on climate resilience, energy innovation, and sustainability across East Africa and beyond. Her storytelling has earned international acclaim, including a third-place win for “The Best Energy Story in Foreign Media” by the Global Energy Association in Moscow.
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