by Patrick Beja and Patrick Muriungi

Emergency construction of roads and bridges damaged by floods at Kanagoni in Coast Province begins today.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett said Sh30 million would be released to restore broken infrastructure.

The Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya Rural Roads Authority will work together to restore the damaged Kanagoni-Kurawa sections, measuring about 500 metres.

Addressing a news conference in Mombasa on Friday, Mr Bett announced a dawn-to-dust curfew at the damaged section.

Provincial Administration and police will prevent people from crossing the area from 6pm to 6am to enhance their safety.

"Trucks will not be allowed to the damaged area. They should use an alternative route such as the Kibwezi-Garissa road," he said.

The road restoration work, to be supervised by Kenya National Highways Authority Coast Manager Denis Odeck, will take two weeks.

According to Bett, road engineers would also assess damage on the Ngao Bridge and the Kiunga road.

Bett also said the Department of Defence and the National Youth Service would participate in the reconstruction of the damaged section of Malindi-Lamu road.

"All road authorities will work together in the emergency programme. The section washed away by floods must be repaired without delay," he said. The minister spoke when he toured the road at the weekend.

He said the road was important for tourism as it connects Magarini, Malindi, Hola, Tana Delta and Lamu districts.

Coast PC Ernest Munyi urged Magarini residents to co-operate with road engineers during the work. He said the Kenya Red Cross had moved to the area to assess the situation.

"We expect well wishers to support families rebuild their houses and help prevent possible outbreak of water borne diseases," he said.

Floods have so far claimed three lives at the Coast. More than 400 villagers are camping at Kurawa, Kanagoni and at a local church.

East African Community Minister Jeffa Kingi appealed to the Government to offer relief to residents.

Meanwhile, the Sh6 billion construction of the new Meru-Githongo-Kionyo-Chogoria road has started.

The 80km project is expected to be finalised by September 2011.

Roads PS Michael Kamau said the project is implemented under the Mt Kenya Regional Rural Infrastructure Programme.

At the same time, the PS ruled out any alterations to the Meru project, saying it will be implemented as per the contract schedule.

"The project will be implemented as per the contract. It will cover Meru-Githongo-Marimba, Marimba-Nkubu and Nkubu-Mitunguu. It will also include Imenti-Kionyo and Kionyo-Chogoria," said Kamau.

MPs Gitobu Imanyara (Central Imenti), Mburi Muiru (Tharaka) and Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki (Nithi) have been petitioning the Government to review the project, claiming their constituencies were short-changed in favour of South Imenti.

They argue the road project should be reviewed to ensure it covered all the constituencies equally.