Nyanza Roads Excluded from Latest KeNHA Tenders
The recent tenders for road maintenance released by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) on August 15 have caught attention due to the notable absence of significant roads and bridges in the Nyanza region. This has raised concerns as all other regions in the country have been allocated projects funded by the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
KeNHA has cataloged 165 road construction projects scheduled for implementation in 11 different areas during the first and second quarters of the 2023-2024 fiscal year. However, the roads located in the political stronghold of opposition leader Raila Odinga are not encompassed in this list.
The only road connecting Kisii to Kadongo and stretching to Ahero in an area with numerous neglected roads has been identified by the road agency.
In the region belonging to President William Ruto, specifically the Rift Valley, the Kenyan National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has allocated resources for the upkeep of a combined total of 40 road infrastructure projects. Within this allocation, there are plans to enhance 10 roads in the South Rift area and 30 roads in the North Rift area.
In the region of Mt Kenya, which is the home area of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a sum of taxpayer funds will be utilized to keep up 37 roads.
Among the allocated road funds, 11 will be designated for the Central region, while the remaining roads are situated in the Upper Eastern region, encompassing Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu Counties.
In the northeastern part of the country, there are plans by the government to replace the road surface for 37 different roads. This area has a significant proportion of road improvement projects managed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
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KeNHA has plans to carry out maintenance on 22 roads within the Lower Eastern region, encompassing Kitui, Makueni, and Machakos Counties.
10 roads in the western region have been designated for maintenance, whereas the Coast region will receive maintenance for only 6 roads.
KeNHA has designated two roads in its main office’s vicinity and six roads within Nairobi for upkeep. In the main office area, KeNHA has initiated a tender process to seek proposals for consultancy services, concerning the oversight of the construction of the New Tana River Bridge and the accompanying roads along the Ukasi-Garissa-Modika (A3) Road, as well as the actual construction work.
The Mariakani – Kwa Jomvu (A8) Road located in the Coast Region will be granted a contractual arrangement to manage unforeseen situations.
In a statement to GossipA2Z, the advocacy organization Linda Ugatuzi revealed its intention to formally request the parliament’s attention regarding the exclusion of Nyanza.
“Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned us that if legislators did not vote for Finance Bill, there would be no development. Is the government living true to its threat?” the group’s director Prof Fred Ogola posed.
The Professor also highlighted that Nyanza should receive its portion of the progress, given that the area, like all other regions in the country, contributed to fuel taxes.
If Parliament doesn’t address the issue promptly, Ogola warned that they would raise the matter to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Nyanza Roads Excluded from Latest KeNHA Tenders
