Residents of Nandi County have called on contractors undertaking projects funded through public funds to strictly adhere to specifications contained in Bills of Quantities (BoQs), saying this is essential to ensuring taxpayers receive value for money.
The residents said roads are important drivers of economic growth in the largely agricultural county and should therefore be constructed to the required standards to guarantee durability and minimise frequent expenditure on repairs and maintenance.
A matatu operator, Jackson Muriuki, said contractors awarded road tenders should not compromise the quality or quantity of materials and works specified in tender documents in an attempt to reduce costs and increase profits.
He said poor-quality roads directly affect public transport operators because vehicles are forced to operate on difficult terrain, increasing maintenance costs and reducing the number of trips they can make.
“We need roads that can withstand heavy rains and the pressure of daily traffic. When a road is poorly constructed, potholes appear within a short time and we are forced to spend more money repairing our vehicles. This eventually increases transport costs for passengers,” he said.
Muriuki urged government engineers and other officers supervising road projects to remain vigilant throughout the construction process and ensure contractors meet every requirement contained in the BoQ.
Businessman Morris Tanui said adherence to project specifications would also protect local businesses by ensuring roads remain usable throughout the year.
He noted that traders depend on reliable roads to transport goods from farms and markets, adding that poor roads increase transportation costs and sometimes lead to losses when commodities take too long to reach their destinations.
“Public money should produce public benefit. If a road is allocated millions of shillings, residents should be able to see a road that reflects the amount spent. Contractors should not be allowed to cut corners because the consequences are suffered by ordinary people,” Tanui said.
Farmer Emily Jelagat said good roads were particularly important to the agricultural community because they connect farmers to markets and facilitate the timely movement of farm inputs and produce.
She said farmers often incur losses when poor roads make it difficult for vehicles to reach farms, especially during rainy seasons.
“We produce maize, beans, coffee, tea and other crops, but production alone is not enough. We need reliable roads to take our produce to markets. Contractors must therefore build roads according to the required standards so that farmers can benefit for many years,” she said.
Teacher John Mugo said the quality of public infrastructure should be viewed as an investment in the future rather than merely a construction exercise.
He observed that roads facilitate access to schools, hospitals, markets and other essential services, making their durability important to the entire community.
Mugo called for closer monitoring of contractors, regular inspection of works and appropriate action against firms that fail to meet contractual obligations.
Nandi County has numerous road projects at different stages, with the county government undertaking maintenance of existing roads and upgrading others to gravel or bitumen standards.
Jelagat, however, commended the county government for undertaking several road improvement projects, including spot improvements on roads in different parts of the county.
The Kenya Rural Roads Authority has also undertaken road upgrading projects in the county, including the Kamoiywo-Kabisaga-Ndalat and Tabolwa-Kapchumo-Chepnoet-
Residents said such projects would have a greater impact if contractors maintained high construction standards and project supervisors ensured compliance with approved designs and specifications.
Muriuki said contractors, government engineers and project managers must work together to ensure every shilling allocated to roads translates into durable infrastructure that improves the lives of Nandi residents.
He said effective supervision was necessary to identify substandard workmanship at an early stage and ensure corrective measures were taken before projects were completed.
The residents’ concerns come amid continuing public scrutiny of the implementation of government-funded projects. An Auditor-General report on some projects raised questions about whether works and provisions contained in BoQs had been fully accounted for, underscoring the need for stronger project supervision and accountability.
They said transparent procurement, regular inspection and strict enforcement of contractual obligations would help prevent contractors from cutting corners and ensure public resources are used efficiently.
The residents maintained that strict adherence to project specifications, transparent supervision and accountability would not only improve the quality and lifespan of roads but also restore public confidence in government development projects.
By Sammy Mwibanda
