Ijara MP Hon. Abdi Ali Abdi has intensified efforts to improve road infrastructure in Garissa County after seeking answers in Parliament on plans to upgrade the Masalani–Ruqa–Ijara Road and the Ijara–Sangailu–Hulugho–Sinai Road to bitumen standards.

The legislator sought a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, seeking clarity on the status of the two roads, which are critical to transportation, trade and access to essential services across Ijara and neighbouring areas.

Abdi said the poor condition of the roads continues to impose significant challenges on residents, particularly during the rainy season when movement becomes difficult and access to vital services is disrupted.

He noted that the roads serve as important lifelines for local communities, connecting residents to healthcare facilities, educational institutions and commercial centres.

Their deplorable condition, he said, affects the movement of people and goods, undermines local livelihoods and constrains economic activities that depend on reliable transport infrastructure.

The MP is seeking clarification on whether the two roads have been integrated into the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, a major regional infrastructure initiative intended to strengthen transport connectivity and trade.

He has also demanded details on the financing arrangements for the proposed upgrades, implementation timelines and the government’s plans to ensure the projects move towards actual implementation.

Beyond the long-term upgrading programme, Abdi has called for interim measures to keep the roads passable as residents await their eventual construction to bitumen standards.

Such interventions would be important in reducing the immediate burden on communities that depend on the routes for everyday travel, transportation of farm produce and access to public services.

The parliamentary initiative places road connectivity at the centre of development priorities in Ijara, where reliable transport infrastructure is essential to improving service delivery and stimulating economic activity.

For residents, better roads would help ease movement between settlements, improve access to markets and reduce the difficulties associated with travelling during periods of heavy rainfall.

The proposed upgrades are also significant for businesses and traders who depend on road networks to move goods and reach customers. Poor road conditions can increase transport costs, delay deliveries and make commercial activities more difficult, particularly in remote areas.

By seeking a formal response from the relevant parliamentary committee, Abdi is pursuing accountability on the status of the projects, the resources required and the measures needed to address the immediate challenges facing road users.

The demand for clear implementation timelines is particularly important to communities that have to plan around unreliable transport links while awaiting major infrastructure improvements.

The MP’s intervention underscores the importance of ensuring that road development plans translate into tangible improvements for residents, especially in areas where poor connectivity continues to limit access to economic opportunities and essential services.

As the parliamentary process progresses, residents will be looking for clear answers on the proposed financing, project timelines and the maintenance measures that can be undertaken before the roads are upgraded.

For Ijara and surrounding communities, the anticipated improvements represent an opportunity to strengthen connectivity, support local trade and make access to healthcare and education more reliable.

Abdi’s push for answers in Parliament signals continued pressure for improved road infrastructure and practical solutions to the transport challenges affecting his constituents.