A parliamentary committee has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the long-delayed Sh16.7 billion Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni road project, saying accelerated construction works and improved funding have put the flagship infrastructure project back on track.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Roads and Transport, led by Vice Chairperson Didmus Barasa, made the assessment after inspecting the project in Kisumu County, where it met officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), local leaders and members of the public.
The committee said it was satisfied that contractors working on the three sections of the road had significantly increased the pace of construction following the settlement of pending bills by the government.
“We have confirmed that for the last three to four months the contractor has increased the pace of work after pending payments were made. We are satisfied that the contractors will be able to complete this road within, and possibly before, the contractual period,” said Barasa.
The lawmaker said the committee had also agreed with KeNHA and contractors to redesign two bridges along the corridor to accommodate the planned four-lane carriageway.
He described the project as a major government investment that will ease transport between Kisumu, Kericho and neighbouring counties while opening up new economic opportunities along the route.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that all roads funded through securitisation and the national budget are completed on time. We want Kenyans to get value for money and enjoy the benefits of improved infrastructure,” he said.
KeNHA assured residents that the government had resolved the funding bottlenecks that had slowed down the project and that contractors had fully mobilised equipment and personnel to recover lost time.
KeNHA’s Engineer Henry Gakuru who represented the Principal Secretary for Roads said the inspection had independently verified that the works underway met the required engineering and environmental standards.
“The committee has confirmed that quality work is being undertaken. Since the government began paying contractors on time, progress has been impressive across all three project sections. We remain committed to ensuring the project is completed within schedule and to the required standards,” said Gakuru.
He said environmental impact mitigation measures, including reforestation and road safety interventions, would form part of the final project.
He acknowledged that the project had initially suffered delays but said contractors had since deployed additional machinery and revised their work schedules.
“The funds have now been availed and contractors have mobilised. You can see they have brought in new equipment and revised their programmes to recover the lost time. We expect accelerated progress going forward,” said Ayuga.
Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir welcomed the renewed momentum, describing the road as a project residents had waited for over two decades.
“This is a road we have fought for through several administrations. It is going to transform this region, improve access to the airport, stimulate investment and open up new growth areas around Mamboleo and Muhoroni,” said Shabir.
The legislator credited President William Ruto’s administration with ensuring the project moved towards completion after years of stalled implementation.
Kajulu Ward MCA Ben Adega also praised the contractor for increasing equipment on site and engaging local communities through employment opportunities and corporate social responsibility programmes.
According to Adega, residents have requested additional feeder roads connecting Bwolo Junction, Got Nyabondo and Gita, while the contractor has pledged support for community projects, including the improvement of a local sports field and construction of an accident and emergency unit at a new hospital in Mamboleo.
Community members who attended the inspection welcomed the renewed pace of construction, saying completion of the road would improve transport, boost trade and raise the value of land and property along the corridor.
The road project, which links Kisumu’s rapidly expanding western suburbs to the sugar belt towns of Miwani, Chemelil and Muhoroni, is expected to reduce travel time, enhance access to Kisumu International Airport and support industrial and agricultural development in the Lake Region.
Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo pledged closer monitoring of the project to ensure it is completed within the agreed timelines.
“This infrastructure is critical to the economic growth of Kisumu and the wider region. We shall work closely with KeNHA and other stakeholders to ensure the project is delivered to the required standards and within the contract period,” he said.
The project is among several major road developments revived after the government unlocked financing through the securitisation programme, ending years of uncertainty that had stalled critical infrastructure works across the country.
By Chris Mahandara
