Meet Captain Pushpender Singh, our Roads and Estate Services Manager at Transmara Sugar Company. He plays a crucial role in managing our road network development project in Kenya’s remote Trans Mara region. This infrastructure helps us access sugarcane farms and empowers local communities with the ability to move within the region. We sat down with Captain Singh to find out more.
You have been Transmara’s Estate and Roads Manager for over a decade. What jobs and roles led the way to where you are today?
My colleagues call me Captain, which stems from my time in the Indian Army as a Captain. When I left the army, I became an Administration Manager at IBM Daksh Shared Services in Gurgaon, India; later moving on to Barclays Shared Services as a Senior Administration Manager. After a move to Uganda to work as a Mechanized Cane Transport & Roads Manager for another sugar corporation, I made the move to Kenya in 2012 to work as Transmara’s Estate and Roads Manager. I’ve been with the company ever since!
Can you give us a little snapshot of the day-to-day of your role?
My day usually starts at 7am with a review of the day’s schedule and a meeting with my team. We address any issues and prioritise our activities before I head to a production meeting with the CEO, alongside the other heads of departments, to discuss production and planning.
At 10am, it’s time for site inspections! I’m usually out in the field, checking on ground road construction and civil projects, ensuring they are on track and meeting quality standards. A big part of my job is problem-solving, addressing any challenges or obstacles the team faces.
Around noon, I review administrative tasks and reports for roads, civil and housing sectors. Later in the afternoon, I focus on project planning – estimating costs and preparing proposals, as well as looking at the long-term projects and goals for Transmara Sugar Company.
Do you get to visit the construction sites and see the roads being built?
I regularly visit site to inspect the progress of ongoing construction and maintenance projects. This helps me keep the project on track to meet the planned timelines. I can monitor the quality of the materials and workmanship and spot any deviations immediately.
The safety of all personnel on-site is a top priority. I conduct safety audits to confirm that all safety protocols are being followed and address any potential hazards. I also interact with contractors, engineers and local community representatives to maintain clear communication lines between all parties involved.
Why is developing infrastructure crucial for the Trans Mara region?
Developing infrastructure in the Transmara region is not just about building roads. It’s about creating a foundation for sustained economic growth, improving the quality of life for local communities and ensuring operational efficiency for businesses like Transmara Sugar Company. New roads can bring new jobs, economic growth and development and enhanced agricultural productivity, so everybody wins!
Our road network development is a critical component of this broader vision. It represents progress, connectivity and a commitment to the future prosperity of the region.
Transmara has been creating and maintaining 300km of roads a year in the region. Do you plan to continue with this plan?
Yes, we plan to continue creating and maintaining 300km of roads annually in the Trans Mara region. Our goal moving forward is to ensure the creation and upkeep of a robust road network that enhances connectivity and supports the area’s economic and social development. This includes 100km of all-weather A Roads, 500km of B Roads and 350km of C Roads in the Transmara Region.
All-weather A roads establish a reliable and high-capacity road network that can handle heavy traffic and provide year-round accessibility from the mill to all the company’s transit stations. Our B roads connect smaller towns, villages and local markets to the main A roads; and C roads are tertiary roads that provide access to farms, rural areas and small settlements, connecting them to the B roads.
Will you be introducing any innovations?
Yes, we plan to introduce several innovations on our Murram roads, which are made from a combination of soil, sand, gravel and concrete. We are implementing an improved drainage system to maintain the integrity of the roads for longer. We are also trying out new eco-friendly materials with innovative construction techniques to ensure our roads have a lighter impact on the planet.
Our culvert roads are important for natural drainage and require heavy-duty materials like concrete, which can be time-consuming to produce. To speed up the process, we are using
pre-cast concrete culverts.
Can you share how you’re involving local communities in the project?
Involving local communities in the road construction project is crucial for ensuring that the benefits are shared, and that the project meets the needs of all stakeholders. We have regular stakeholder meetings and consultations to keep farmers and communities up-to-date with any new developments. We have set up a community roads committee to help us stay on track.
Career development is an important part of this project and we are providing this by offering employment opportunities and community-based contracting to get local people in the Trans Mara region involved. Working in collaboration with our community to make this road network a success helps us all feel a sense of ownership and empowerment, leading to long-term positive impacts on both the company and the local population.
What are you doing to mitigate the environmental impact of constructing these roads?
We are highly concerned about ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) factors and are committed to mitigating the environmental impact of our road construction projects. We are working on improving erosion and sediment control, building climate-resistant infrastructure and protecting biodiversity.
Environmental impact assessments are an essential part of the planning stage to ensure minimal harm to the nature and wildlife of the Trans Mara region. But assessments don’t stop there. We monitor the construction process to ensure standards and safety protocols are met and continue to monitor them after completion to preempt any issues that may arise.
Do you have any plans to ensure the roads are safe and in good condition for years to come?
Yes, we have comprehensive plans for future-proofing the roads in the Trans Mara region to ensure they remain safe, durable and in good condition. This multifaceted approach starts with maintaining high-quality construction and climate-resilient design.
Involving the community is an integral part of our approach, as getting local people on board helps with education, awareness and road safety. We will continue to monitor all A, B and C roads after they’ve been built to ensure the same quality is maintained and keep them in good condition for years to come.
Find out more about the importance of building roads in Kenya
