By Reporter
The Government intends to complete the dualling of the Nairobi–Naivasha section by December and open it up for use, Transport Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir has said.
“We want to finish the dualling of the Nairobi–Naivasha section by December and open it for use. We will, however, remain with a few design works at the Naivasha Junction, where we want to have an interchange with an overpass and underpass to complete the stretch,” he said.
Chirchir spoke as the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure inspected the Rironi–Mau Summit road to assess the progress of the project.
The project is aimed at easing traffic along the corridor that connects Kenya to East and Central Africa through the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western regions.
The inspection came after a joint meeting of the Committee and officials from the Ministry of Roads and Transport, led by Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir.
The CS assured the country that the contractor was working within the set timelines to ensure the Rironi–Naivasha stretch is opened for use in early December.
“Honourable Members, I want to thank you as a Committee for coming to see what the Government is doing with public funds. This is one of our major projects aimed at opening up our country. We want to finish the dualling of the Nairobi–Naivasha section by December and open it for use. We will, however, remain with a few design works at the Naivasha Junction, where we want to have an interchange with an overpass and underpass to complete the stretch,” he said.
The CS revealed that more than 90 teams are working on the road to ensure the deadline is met. Despite a reported bitumen shortage in the country, he informed the Committee that the Government had secured enough for the project, which is now progressing at approximately 4 kilometres per week.
The contractor was expected to move to the Gilgil and Mai Mahiu sides, which are also set for dualling to open up transport in the country.
Committee Chairperson Hon. George Kariuki, together with other Members present, lauded the progress, describing the project as a game changer.
“We are here to provide oversight of what the Ministry is doing, and so far, we are impressed with the project because we can see there is value for public funds. This road has a positive impact on Kenyans; it will open up business between our counties and ease transport for other road users. As a Committee, we are happy,” said Hon. Kariuki.
Hon. Kariuki also called on leaders to support such projects instead of politicising them. He further thanked the Cabinet for the approval that gave life to the securitisation programme, which has yielded over Sh200 billion to support road infrastructure in the country.
In his closing remarks, the CS assured the Committee that the Government was deregistering contractors with a bad record of abandoning public projects despite receiving payments.
“We are now keen on their performance records. All contractors are undergoing due diligence that is done in a strict way. This is to ensure value for public money,” he said.
