Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has warned contractors undertaking government-funded road projects that delays will no longer be tolerated, saying the government is now meeting its financial obligations promptly.
The Cabinet Secretary said the longstanding challenge of pending bills had been resolved, removing any justification for stalled or slow-moving road construction projects across the country.
“There is no excuse for any contractor not to deliver on time. We are paying contractors promptly and they must work within the agreed timelines,” said Chirchir.
He was speaking on Saturday during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County, where he cautioned that contractors who fail to meet contractual obligations risk termination of their tenders.
Chirchir said the government had invested heavily in infrastructure development and would not allow laxity to undermine service delivery and economic growth.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who said his ministry was working closely with the State Department for Roads to ensure all verified pending bills were settled.
Mbadi noted that delayed payments in the past had discouraged contractors and slowed progress on major road projects but assured Kenyans that the situation had now improved.
One of the projects inspected was the 74-kilometre Mbita–Sindo–Magunga–Sori Road, whose construction began more than a decade ago but is yet to be completed.
The project has seen multiple contractors engaged over the years, with some withdrawing due to delayed payments. Work only resumed in earnest after President William Ruto relaunched the project in October 2023.
Chirchir, however, said the issue of pending bills had been addressed and directed contractors to ensure uninterrupted work going forward.
“We inherited pending bills amounting to Sh175 billion, which had accumulated over more than 10 years, but we have now settled them,” he said.
The two Cabinet Secretaries were accompanied by Migori Governor Ochillo Ayako, Alego Usonga MP Samwel Atandi, Awendo MP Walter Owino, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang and Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi.
Mbadi said the Treasury had mobilised resources to support the road sector, noting that infrastructure development plays a critical role in stimulating economic growth.
“The road sector is roaring back again. We have paid outstanding bills to ensure seamless connectivity and unlock economic opportunities,” Mbadi said.
County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi urged residents who had built structures under the Sondu–Ndhiwa high-voltage power line to remove them before Thursday next week, when the line is expected to be energised.
He also called on parents to ensure all Grade Ten learners report to school regardless of fee challenges.
Residents of Suba South, led by Engineer Bernard Odhuno, said poor road conditions had long hampered movement and economic activities.
“I am happy that the roads will change the lives of our people by improving their economic wellbeing. We must also be responsible road users to prevent accidents,” said Odhuno.
By Davis Langat
