By Manuel Odeny, @TheNyanzaNews

Tired of fake promises from Siaya county politicians, residents of a village decided to pool resources and open a key road.

Residents of Mahanya and Urimi villages in Nyabera sub-location, West Uyoma ward, Rarieda constituency said since independence a road opening the area has been a perennial campaign pledge.

Residents have been left to use goat paths and footpaths with dreams of vehicles reaching them being a myriad.

They said they had hoped Siaya governor James Orengo and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo to construct the road until they took up the initiative themselves to open up the Misori-Kitimbo road.

“This road will open up opportunities for fishing activities as well as horticultural farming within the two villages and the rest of the world,” Dr. Joseph Okweso told Kenya News Agency.

Dr. Okweso led the effort and ensured bulldozers, graders, and shovels were on the ground to open up the two and a half-kilometre road.

The road will open access for the villagers to access the Misori-Kawaka-Bondo road.

“We have given a big challenge to both the county and national governments that they have to up their game and act on the priority needs of the community,” bishop George Otieno Orida said.

Orida said during funerals, villagers were forced to carry caskets on their shoulders or have cows and donkeys draw them on carts.

“It is always dreadful for the expectant mothers too, who have to be pushed on a wheelbarrow for kilometres to Misori and other health facilities,” said Orida.

Jeremiah Arrum Ombet and Hellen Achieng, residents said the community lacks any development projects from the government with the road being a pointer to wider problem.

“When I recently lost my wife, we were forced to carry the casket in our heads, and the people carrying the casket arrived home ahead of me, which is not right,” he said.

Residents said leaders should include the road for routine maintenance and it should end being on politicians’ lips whenever elections are around the corner.

Pastor Camlus Opondo at a local Pentecostal Assemblies Church. said the community should never again carry the sick on their backs for kilometres to the tarmac road.