Management System of Road Maintenance for Marram Roads in Kenya

Abstract

The road network in Kenya is majorly made up of marram roads that connect the interiors of the country to the tarmac main roads. Since 2010, the government of Kenya has devoted significant efforts in opening up the rural areas by constructing new and expand using the existing marrams roads. However, most of these roads in many parts of the country are in a poor state are most are either never or poorly maintained after a length of time hence making most rural areas inaccessible. This study aimed at identifying challenges faced by marram road maintenance practice. The qualitative research methodology was used and data was collected using questionnaires in the current marram road maintenance practices. The study revealed poor and inefficient planning of road maintenance practices characterized also by poor tendering and prioritization of the maintenance of the roads. There are no standardized monitoring and reporting methods on the maintenance of the roads hence resulting in poor maintenance of the roads. It was recommended for local governments and ministry of works through the roads authority to put in place coherent road maintenance systems such as the use of computer-based road maintenance management system to ensure prioritized and timely maintenance of the roads.