State releases funding for county roads

By MOSES NJAGIH

The National Government has finally released Sh14.5 billion for construction and maintenance of roads in counties under the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and Kenya Rural Roads Authority.

The release of the funds is a major reprieve as it unlocks the crisis, which had seen many contractors under the two roads authorities down their tools for non-payment.

Roads Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau yesterday told the Senate Committee on Energy, Roads and Transport that Sh4.5 billion had been released to counties to pay contractors and allow them to complete contracts that had stalled.

Addressing a joint press briefing after the meeting, Committee Chairman Gideon Moi said following the release of the money, contractors would be paid as from next week.

STATE OF ROADS

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“We called the secretary because we felt concerned over what was happening on our roads,” said Moi.

He added: “We were starting to get worried because the short rains are about to start and we fear they may be affected by the rains, since contractors are not at work because of pay.” Moi further said the secretary had also informed the committee that the Sh10 billion in unconditional funds for roads to counties had been released from the Treasury and sent to the Ministry.

He said the funds would now be distributed to respective counties to assist them accelerate infrastructure development in the devolved units.

The secretary also briefed the committee on the progress of the ongoing works on the Southern by-pass, which is expected to ease congestion in Nairobi.