Leshau Pondo ward MCA Gathungu Kamau (centre in cap) with the residents of Kiandege at the new ‘Badilisha-Gathungu’ Acess Road linking Legetet and Kiandege villages. Photo/Newsflash
By Newsflash Reporter
Leshau Pondo MCA Gathungu Kamau has intensified efforts to open up remote and previously inaccessible areas within his ward, through the construction of several access roads.
The development, undertaken in partnership with the Nyandarua County Government under Governor Kiarie Badilisha, has been lauded by residents who say the new roads are easing transport and boosting the local economy.
Although Gathungu has been actively involved in numerous road construction projects across the ward, the latest milestone is the opening of Access Road Number 2, which links Legetet village, Ngaindeithia, and Leshau Pondo Farm.
‘Badilisha-Gathungu By-Pass’ unveiled
Speaking to Newsflash during the site visit on Tuesday, July 29, Gathungu noted that the road was a game-changer for the community.
“This road is christened ‘Gathungu By-Pass’ and it connects Legetet village, Ngaindeithia Farm, and Leshau Pondo Farm. The family of Wakirathe had given a footpath for more than 50 years before the land was bought and gave residents a big relief. This year we bought land now connecting Gwa Gathecha road and Gwa Kimaru (Kau Niko), which the residents welcomed with jubilation. It has been named ‘Badilisha-Gathungu By-Pass’,” said Gathungu during the digging up exercise of the road by county bulldozers.
Residents of Kiandege, one of the areas benefiting directly from the project, expressed joy and gratitude at the new development. The road is expected to drastically shorten travel time and improve connectivity for households and farmers in the area.
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“Today, we have a new road that will connect Kiandege and Legetet areas. This will greatly ease our movements, because we have been using a very long distance of up to 3 kilometres to reach our destinations. From now, we will be covering the same distance in a span of three minutes,” says Kirathe Macharia, a Kiandege resident.
Another resident, John Kimaru, added: “I have given an access road from part of my land so that we can ease people’s movements from the long distance they were walking previously.”
“According to how lands were demarcated here, people were using very long distances to get to some areas. However, things will be easier from now,” said John Maina, also a resident of Kiandege.
Gathungu said the access road is a major milestone for the community, which has been denied infrastructure for over five decades.
“For more than 50 years, this area has never had a road, because our parents bought the land in early 1970s. I want to thank elders who gave us land to set up this access road,” said Gathungu.
Addressing historical neglect
Gathungu emphasized that part of the challenge stems from historical land planning errors made by private land-selling companies in the 1970s.
“When these lands were being demarcated by the land selling companies, they were not able to put up access roads. What we shall continue doing is opening up closed areas. However, we have tried our best to open them up… so that we can ease the movement, for instance, of milk vendors,” said the MCA.
He noted that the access roads will not only improve movement within the ward but also make it easier for residents to transport their farm produce and access basic services such as education and health.
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Some of the key roads already completed include Wakahura Road (Access Road 1), which connects Nyakinyua village to Karai village.
“The residents used to travel long distances until I bought land connecting the two villages,” he told Newsflash.
Gathungu also highlighted another major success this year, made possible through community cooperation and targeted investment.
“In addition, this year, we bought land from Mzee Nahashon of Mbuyu village connecting Kahuho A and Kahuho B villages; a big relief for students going to Mbuyu Secondary School and Kagondo Secondary School. It has been like a miracle to the people who have suffered for half a century. All other previous politicians made the promise of the road, but Gathungu delivered,” he said.
Eyes on 2027
The vocal ward representative, who is eyeing the Ndaragwa Parliamentary seat in 2027, says that improving infrastructure in Leshau Pondo is not only about fulfilling campaign promises—it is about transforming the region’s economic prospects.
“Opening up this area will catalyse its economic development,” he said.
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