Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned contractors undertaking government-funded projects against delays and shoddy work, cautioning that those who fail to deliver as agreed risk arrest and prosecution.
Kindiki said the government would not tolerate contractors who receive public funds but fail to complete projects to the required standards, noting that such practices undermine development and waste taxpayers’ money.
Speaking at Marimanti in Tharaka Nithi County during the launch of the upgrading of the Marimanti-Kibung’a-Mukuyuni Road to bitumen standards, the Deputy President said some projects in the region had taken unnecessarily long to complete despite the government meeting its financial obligations.
“I cannot allow contractors who have been paid by the government money to do shoddy jobs,” said Kindiki.
The Deputy President said fraudulent contractors could be charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, insisting that public resources must translate into tangible development for citizens.
He also directed government officers responsible for supervising infrastructure projects to strengthen oversight and ensure contractors complete their assignments within the agreed timelines.
“I am giving notice to government officials that I should not be having more information than officers on the ground. Public servants should take responsibility for monitoring projects in their respective areas.
Kindiki said the newly launched road, which links Tharaka and Imenti Central constituencies, would improve transport and connectivity while facilitating trade and economic growth in the Mount Kenya region.
He assured residents that the contractor had been instructed to execute the project without unnecessary delays, adding that the road was among several development initiatives planned for the area.
“The contractor is under firm instructions to do the job without unnecessary delays. We have just started,” he said, drawing cheers from residents.
At the same time, Kindiki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing historical marginalisation by distributing development projects more equitably across the country.
He said the government had set aside Sh6 billion for upgrading approximately 515 kilometres of roads to bitumen standards in Tharaka Nithi County, a move expected to improve access to markets, public services and economic opportunities.
The Deputy President also cited progress in electricity connectivity in Tharaka Constituency, saying access had increased from 11 per cent of households when President William Ruto took office in 2022 to 40 per cent currently.
He acknowledged that the constituency still lagged behind some areas, where electricity connectivity had reached 70 and 90 per cent, respectively, but expressed confidence that the gap would narrow.
“Some constituencies are at 70 per cent while others are at 90 per cent, but we will also get there in the next one to two years,” Kindiki assured residents.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, Chuka/Igamba-Ng’ombe MP Patrick Munene, Principal Secretaries Alex Wachira (Energy) and Betsy Njagi (Blue Economy), Tharaka Nithi Woman Representative Susan Ngugi, and several Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Justin Kithinji, among other local leaders.
by Dickson Mwiti
