By Reporter
The Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure has queried delays in the construction of the ongoing Mombasa-Mtwapa (A7) Road by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
KeNHA struggled to explain to the Committee why the works had been delayed.
The construction began in November 2022 and was scheduled for completion in November 2025.
The Committee, during its inspection tour of the road to evaluate progress on the Sh8.4 billion project, which currently stands at 55.96 per cent complete, raised concern over the delay.
The Committee, led by George Kariuki, expressed disappointment with the pace of works, noting that both KeNHA and the contractor had not been candid about the project.
In their update to the Committee, KeNHA officials, led by the Director of Development, Eng. Henry Gakuru, attributed the delay to several challenges.
“Honourable Members, we have had problems with land and Project Affected Persons (PAPs) compensation due to inadequate budgetary allocation and delays from responsible public agencies like the National Land Commission.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also led to delays in materials, in addition to population concentration along the stretch, which required section-by-section clearance,” he said.
The Committee, however, dismissed the claims, arguing that both KeNHA and the contractor were at the negotiating table during the development and appraisal of the project.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who is Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, said the issues that had been identified at the planning stage should not be introduced at an advanced stage of the project.
“You were aware that the road was cutting through a highly populated urban area at the time of planning.
You must have been aware of all these when the timelines were given. Now, how sure are you that the project will be completed within one year, that is, by December 2027 as indicated in your report?”Barasa asked.
Mr Badi Twalib, MP for Jomvu in Mombasa County, questioned how a three-year contract, which was still at 55 per cent complete with 40 per cent remaining, would be delivered in one year’s time.
“We are surprised that even engineers from KeNHA are not aware of the progress on some sections of this road, like the Bombolulu Bridge.
We want to see compensation done faster and the project completed as soon as possible to ease traffic on this road. It is a major link road between Mombasa and Malindi, all the way to Lamu,” he said.
The Committee was, however, impressed with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives undertaken for locals, including training of youth in TVET-related skills and market expansion at Kongowea.
KeNHA assured the Committee that it had already reached an agreement with the contractor to ensure the works are completed by 16 December 2027.
