Ruto launches Sh6.7 billion stalled roads in Bomet, Kajiado

President William Ruto launches the upgrading and maintenance of Silbwet-Merigi-Kaparuso road in Bomet County. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto on Friday launched two major road projects that had stalled under the previous regime.

The multi-billion road projects in Kajiado and Bomet Counties will cumulatively require Sh6.7 billion to complete.

In Kajiado, the project entails upgrading to Bitumen Standard and Performance Based Routine Maintenance of Ongata Rongai - Gataka - Embul-bul, Co-operative College (Karen) - Matasia - Nkoroi, Ongata Rongai Nazarene University - Rimpa & JN (C 58) - Lewisa Academy - Kahara Market.

And in Bomet, the project will include upgrading to Bitumen Standard and Maintenance of Silibwet - Merigi - Kaparuso - Tegat - Cheaper - Kimuchul - Matcher, Longisa - Kembu - Chemaner, Mulot - Kapkimolwa - Kembu - Kaparuso, Matecha-Mugoiywet Roads.

President Ruto said he would not be distracted from his development agenda and vowed to continue with the projects that had stalled during the last regime.

"We are looking forward to working together. The election is over. We shall not be blackmailed. We shall not be cowed," said Mr Ruto.

The Head of State was speaking while commissioning 65 kilometres of tarmac roads in the populous Kajiado North at Ongata Rongai before heading to Bomet.

The Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) said they are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that all stalled projects are completed.

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"Our members will continue to be adequately trained and prepared to ensure the highest standards of professionalism in our field practice. We are ready to work collaboratively with the government to prioritize road safety and infrastructure development," said Erick Ohaga, IEK president.

Ohaga said that they are concerned about the high number of stalled infrastructure projects in the country.

"Many projects were started and left incomplete. Many are due to financing challenges but others are due to disputes and design challenges. It is our view that the taxpayer will be faced with huge bills to foot to pay for idle plant and equipment mobilised for this equipment," Ohaga said.

Ohaga urged the government to discuss with all the contractors for the stalled projects to come to an understanding on how the projects will be completed without resulting in disputes that would lead to the taxpayers paying hefty fines for the stalled projects.

On Saturday, President Ruto will launch another set of road projects in Eldoret and Malava.

President William Ruto launched road projects that stalled under the previous regime. [File, Standard]

Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) DG Eng. Philemon Kandie explained that the Kajiado road project stalled due to Sh3.9 pending bill owed to the contractor.

And for the Bomet roads project, Kandie said that the Sh2.8 billion contract signed on September 23, 2019, was not completed within 42 months of schedule.

This means that the completion deadline of September 23, 2022, was not honoured, due to accrued pending bills that were left unsettled by the previous regime.

"To date, 100 per cent of the contract period has elapsed with only 13 per cent of the overall physical progress achieved.We have spoken to the contractor and he has agreed to fast-track the completion of these roads," said Kandie.

Kandie said that the road network in Bomet will facilitate faster movement of fresh produce from the farms to markets hence enhancing self-sustainability.

"It will also enhance faster access to learning institutions and other crucial facilities, will open up the region for inter and intra-regional trade and investment and also improve security in the region," said Kandie.

In Kajiado, the road project has cumulative links of 65 Km. Kandie said that the first link starts at Ongata Rongai through Gataka and ends at Embulbul (along Ngong Road).

The Second link, he said, starts at Co-operative College (Karen) and ends at the corner (along Ngong - Kiserian Road).

While the third loop starts at Matasia (along Ngong- Kiserian Road) and ends at Nkoroi (along Ongata Rongai - Kiserian Road).

Kandie said that the fourth loop starts at Ongata Rongai (Maasai Lodge Junction) through Nazarene University and ends at Rimpa (along Ongata Rongai - Kiserian Road).

While the fifth loop starts at Junction C58 (along Kiserian - Magadi Road) through Lewisa Academy and ends at Kahara Market.

He said that the final stretch starts at the junction of Gataka Road (Kwa Mai) and ends at junction C58 (along Ngong - Kiserian Road (Tuskys Chap Chap).

"The road stalled because the former regime failed to settle pending bills owed to the contractors totalling Sh3.9 billion. We have held talked with the contractor and he has resumed work to complete the 3km stretch of Ongata Rongai-Nazarene even as we work on sorting his pending bills so that he can resume construction work fully," said President Ruto.

He said that upon completion, these link roads will decongest Magadi Road from Galleria Shopping Center to Rongai and Ngong Road from Karen to Ngong town.

He said it will also open up areas for business and investment, boost security in the area and improve access to markets, schools, hospitals and other facilities.