From Mud to Markets: How New Roads Are Changing Lives for Farmers in Uasin Gishu

For years, getting fresh produce from the farms of Uasin Gishu County to the bustling markets of Eldoret was a race against time—and often a losing one.

In Karuna Meibeki Ward, tomato farmer Jane Chelangat remembers the frustration all too well. Long stretches of rough, muddy roads meant delays, damaged goods, and painful losses.

“Sometimes the tomatoes would rot before I even got to the market,” she recalls. “You work so hard, but the roads would undo everything.”

Today, her routine looks very different.

With newly upgraded roads cutting through her village, Chelangat now loads her produce with confidence, knowing she can reach buyers faster and in better condition. “Now I don’t worry like before. I can plan, I can deliver, and I can earn,” she says with a smile.

Her story is echoed across the county, where a road improvement program under Governor Jonathan Bii is steadily reshaping daily life. In wards like Soy, Tarakwa, Langas, and Simat Kapseret, residents say what once felt like isolated communities are now more connected than ever.

For maize and wheat farmers, the difference is just as significant. Faster transport has reduced post-harvest losses, while lower travel times have cut costs and improved access to markets.

But it’s not just farmers feeling the impact.

In Langas, a boda boda rider says the smoother roads have changed his business. “Before, my bike was always breaking down. Now I can carry more passengers and make more trips. It’s a big difference,” he explains.

Small trading centers are also coming to life. Shops are opening in areas that were once quiet, as better roads attract customers and investors alike. For many residents, essential services like healthcare and schools are now easier to reach.

County officials say the changes are part of a broader plan to boost infrastructure and unlock economic growth. This week, Roads Executive Abraham Serem and his team briefed the County Assembly on the progress, highlighting key upgrades across multiple wards, including routes linking farming areas to major transport corridors.

Yet beyond the reports and statistics, it’s the everyday stories that capture the true impact.

“Good roads have given us hope,” Chelangat says, arranging her crates for the next trip to market. “Now, our hard work finally pays off.”

As more roads are upgraded across Uasin Gishu County, residents are watching their communities transform—one smooth journey at a time.