By Broadrick Oloo

The still freshly tarmacked Rodi-Sori road connecting Homa Bay and Migori counties is a mockery and a curse to motorists and passengers.

The 48 kilometers of road which has not taken five years already has gaping potholes especially from Rodi Kopany town to Ndhiwa towns.

The potholes are not only an eyesore, hut has claimed many lives including that of Monica Amolo the former acting ODM Chairman for Homa Bay County.

Most recently on February 4, the poor state also claimed lives of two pupils from Ojode Pala Primary School.

The problem with the road started in 1996 when it was graveled to bitumen standards  but because of the shoddy work despite billions paid to the contractor only lasted for a year.

In July 2010, Kenya National Highways Authority assigned and awarded another contractor the same road to a tune of Sh1.2billion for maintenance and rehabilitation of the same road.

Sadly even before the contractor reached halfway, there were gaping potholes on the road.

The contractor finished the road early 2018, about eight years after award of the contract leaving the first portion between Rodi and Ndhiwa dotted with numerous large potholes that can swallow a Toyota Probox.

Many motorists are suffering as vehicles are extensively damaged with passengers wasting many hours traveling because vehicles must carefully look for alternative passages off the main “road” including driving on private shambas.

It is a painful and a tiring experience.

The road is key in serving Ruma National Park, the home to roan antelope found nowhere else in the world.

The neglect and sorry state of the road is worrying and it is high time that it be repaired.

(The writer is a youth leader in the region)