The project gained momentum when Kiseriani residents agreed to host meetings to discuss road construction. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
As Arusha continues to expand, many residents have opted to settle on the city's outskirts to avoid congestion. However, inadequate infrastructure in these areas has been a significant challenge, especially during the rainy season, due to the clay-like soil that dominates much of the region. The Tanzania Rural Roads Agency (Tarura) has tried to improve accessibility, but their progress has often fallen short in some areas.
Alphonse Mollel, chairman of Longiva mtaa in Kiseriani Village, Mlangalini Ward, Arusha District, has witnessed firsthand how poor road conditions have hampered mobility in his neighborhood, particularly during heavy rains. He recalls how residents had to join forces to ensure roads became passable.
Mollel highlights the challenges he has seen over his eight years in the area, with vehicles struggling to navigate the roads, especially when it rains. But things started to improve when PhR. Jovin John, a lecturer at the Institute of Accountancy Arusha (IAA) and a resident of the area, took the initiative to lead the road improvement efforts.
Speaking to the press, PhR John explained that it was initially difficult to convince neighbors to contribute funds for road construction. It wasn't until he created a WhatsApp group with 13 of his neighbors and made phone calls to encourage donations that progress began.
“First, I had to research the costs of temporary road construction, how long it would take, and the most practical way to build it,” PhR. John said. "I was advised by construction experts to focus on building two water drainage ditches on either side of the road, each about 70 cm wide. These ditches would be lined with flat stones and reinforced with cement."
PhR. John outlined the estimated costs, including materials such as flat stones, sand, gravel, cement, and labor, and explained that these funds would come directly from the residents. By starting small with a personal contribution of Sh 300,000 for a tractor to begin the work, he gradually inspired others to pitch in.
The project gained momentum when Kiseriani residents agreed to host meetings to discuss road construction. Although some proposed physical gatherings, others suggested using WhatsApp to share updates and decisions, as everyone in the community was well aware of the challenges posed by the deteriorating roads.
PhR. John commended the local leadership, particularly Chairman Mollel, for negotiating better prices for gravel. With their efforts, the cost of a truckload of gravel, originally priced at Sh 70,000, was reduced to Sh 50,000. This cost-saving initiative allowed residents to make more significant progress with their funds.
Thanks to these collective efforts, the Kiseriani neighborhood now enjoys improved road access. PhR. John believes that this kind of grassroots initiative demonstrates how educated members of a community can drive meaningful change in their surroundings.
"While lecturers are often seen as figures secluded behind classroom walls, detached from the struggles of ordinary people, PhR. John stands out as an exception. He is known for his simplicity and genuine concern for the well-being of the community," shared a Kiseriani resident, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Tarura has recently announced plans to further improve rural and urban road networks across the country. The agency’s Advisory Board Chairman, Engineer Florian Kabaka, emphasized during a recent press briefing in Arusha that Tarura's budget has tripled in the last three years, enabling it to enhance road infrastructure quality significantly.
Kabaka thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan for increasing Tarura's budget annually, which allows the agency to upgrade gravel roads to tarmac and transform dirt roads into high-quality gravel paths. Tarura also plans to employ new technologies to ensure rapid and efficient road construction across the country.
Engineer Pharles Ngeleja, a consultant from Tarura's headquarters, highlighted the vast scope of the agency's road network and the need to deploy alternative technologies to accelerate progress. He assured the public that Tarura is committed to ensuring that all construction projects meet high-quality standards through thorough material testing and quality control.
While Tarura continues its ambitious plans, the Kiseriani community’s experience highlights the importance of local mobilization. By taking the initiative, communities like this one can significantly enhance their living conditions, rather than waiting solely for government interventions.
Mollel stated that Kiseriani has 9 neighborhoods, but only a few have been incorporated into Tarura's development plan. He emphasized that the process must begin at the council level, requiring approval by local councilors. "The community has been encouraged to work on infrastructure themselves, as the formal process of rehabilitating and upgrading pathways takes time," Mollel explained. He added that since this is a relatively new settlement and the town is expanding, the efforts of residents are crucial in driving local development.