Homa bay: Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has issued a stern warning to contractors working on government-funded road projects, emphasizing that delays in project delivery will no longer be tolerated. This statement comes as the government assures that it is now consistently meeting its financial obligations to contractors.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Cabinet Secretary highlighted that the longstanding issue of pending bills has been resolved, eliminating any justification for stalled or slow-moving road construction projects nationwide. Chirchir stated, “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.”
Chirchir made these remarks during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Suba South Constituency, Homa Bay County. He cautioned that contractors failing to meet their contractual obligations risk having their tenders terminated. The government, having invested heavily in infrastructure development, will not permit laxity to compromise service delivery and economic growth.
Accompanying Chirchir was Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who assured that his ministry is collaborating closely with the State Department for Roads to ensure all verified pending bills are settled. Mbadi admitted that past delayed payments discouraged contractors and slowed progress on major road projects, but he assured Kenyans that the situation has since improved.
One of the projects inspected was the 74-kilometer Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori Road. This project, which began over a decade ago, has faced multiple contractor changes due to delayed payments, only resuming earnest work after President William Ruto relaunched it in October 2023. Chirchir confirmed that the issue of pending bills has been addressed and directed contractors to maintain uninterrupted work.
“We inherited pending bills amounting to Sh175 billion, which had accumulated over more than 10 years, but we have now settled them,” Chirchir said. The inspection was attended 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 reiterated the Treasury’s commitment to mobilizing resources to support the road sector, underscoring the importance of infrastructure development in driving economic growth. “The road sector is roaring back again. We have paid outstanding bills to ensure seamless connectivity and unlock economic opportunities,” Mbadi stated.
County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi urged residents with structures under the Sondu-Ndhiwa high-voltage power line to remove them before the line is energized next Thursday. He also called on parents to ensure all Grade Ten learners return to school regardless of fee challenges.
Residents of Suba South, led by Engineer Bernard Odhuno, expressed optimism that improved road conditions will enhance 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,” Odhuno remarked.
