The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has resumed the construction of the Ksh15.7 billion Mamboleo junction-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni-Kipsitet highway, which stalled due to insufficient funds.
Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Eliud Owalo, who spoke during an inspection tour of the 122 kilometre project on Thursday, May 8, clarified that the funding shortage had since been addressed.
He noted that the government recently released adequate funds to cater for the construction of all stalled roads across the country, adding that all stalled roads in the country would be completed in the not-too-distant future.
"The government has now unlocked the funding challenge for the road sector that we have been witnessing over the past two years. All stalled roads in the country will be completed in the not-too-distant future,” Owalo stated.
The highway, which connects Kisumu, Kericho, Nandi and Nyamira counties, is currently being constructed in phases by three different contractors under the supervision of KeNHA.
According to Owalo, the construction of the highway was a major game-changer in the region as it would unlock the economic potential of the entire sugar belt and boost regional trade.
The first phase of the road, which is under construction, is the 33.9-kilometre stretch between Mamboleo Junction and Miwani, which is set to cost Ksh5.2 billion.
The second phase is expected to involve the construction of the 43.4-kilometre stretch between Miwani and Chemelil, which is set to cost Ksh4.96 billion, while the third phase involves the construction of a 44.7-kilometre stretch between Chemelil and Kipsitet.
Commenting on the project, Linet Atieno, a KeNHA official, expressed optimism about the completion of the road, urging the government to maintain momentum in payment processing.
“We appreciate the government's efforts. Our commitment is to deliver, and we ask for continued fast-tracking of funds to avoid future delays,” Linet said.
The update comes a week after Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir held a consultative meeting with road contractors to express his gratitude for their resumption of work on stalled projects.
Chirchir noted that the resumption of road construction projects signified a renewed commitment to enhancing Kenya's road network infrastructure.
"This initiative holds significant promise for improving transportation across the country, enabling Kenyans to experience more efficient and seamless connectivity," the CS commented.
He went on to add, "The resumption of work will significantly contribute to increased employment opportunities across the sector—from direct employment by the projects, to service providers or suppliers to the contractors and their employees."
