Hydrological impacts on the maintenance and rehabilitation of rural road networks in kenya: the case of cheptiret-kesses road, uasin-gishu district

The Kesses-Cheptiret road was upgraded mainly to link Moi University and the surrounding rich agricultural region to the outside world. The road is 13 km long and can be divided into two sections. Section one is class D road which links Kesses to Cheptiret and section B is the access road from Moi University to Kesses market. The latter section is generally in a good condition, but the former has 56 % and 44 % respectively; of it classified as poor and completely failed respectively. This section of the road has become a major challenge to the Road Authority in terms of its cost of rehabilitation and maintenance. This paper examines the main factors that have contributed to continued deterioration of section one of this road in spite of past attempts at annual routine and periodic maintenance. A number of data collection methods were used, ranging from the use of topographic maps, climatic and hydrological data and site inspection to in-depth interviews with selected groups of local road users. This paper proposes mitigation measures to be taken to restore the road to its intended condition and hence to improve economic welfare of the surrounding community.