Sh448 million five-kilometre road in Kisii stalls past completion date

Ongoing construction of Daraja Moja -Botori bypass. [Sammy Omingo/Standard]

The Government will investigate delayed completion of Sh448 million five-kilometre Daraja Moja-Christmarine-Erera-Nyanchwa-Botori bypass in Kisii town.

County Commissioner Godfrey Kigochi yesterday told The Standard the Government, through the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) and the multi-agency team, was keenly following on the road project which was set for completion this month.

“We are aware that the project has either stalled or has taken long to complete. PDU and the Government multi-agency team will be visiting the road today (yesterday),” he said.

Mr Kigochi said the Government was aware the contractor had rushed back to site after word went round that members of the Presidential Delivery Unit were to visit.

According to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, the road, a single-way project, is 35 per cent complete. It was commissioned in November 2017.

Project Engineer Gordon Okello said payment had been an issue. “The contractor has received some payment and we expect he will complete the project as fast as possible.”

The firm’s Director Philip Owino neither picked our calls nor respond to texts.

Upon completion, the bypass is expected to improve traffic flow and eliminate congestion within Kisii town.