The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has cancelled the tender for the expansion of Kiambu Road, just a week after inviting Chinese contractors to bid for the project.
In a notice published on Tuesday, July 22, the Authority announced that the initial advertisement inviting eligible Chinese companies to bid for the road construction works was no longer valid.
However, KeNHA did not provide any reason for cancelling the tender. Nonetheless, the decision could be attributed to various unconfirmed factors, such as concerns about the project's financial viability.
Another possible reason for the cancellation could be the need to review the project scope to ensure the success of the multi-billion-shilling undertaking.
The cancellation of the tender is expected to further delay the expansion of the busy road, which has consistently experienced traffic congestion and road carnage in recent years.
KeNHA's decision to cancel the tender notice follows concerns raised by a section of stakeholders over the transparency of the bidding process.
The stakeholders criticised the Authority’s move to restrict the bidding to only Chinese firms, claiming that such a decision could result in less competitive pricing for the road expansion.
Meanwhile, in its initial notice dated July 15, KeNHA announced that it had received funding from the China Export-Import (EXIM) Bank for upgrading the road
According to the Authority, the road would be expanded from Pangani Estate in Nairobi, through Muthaiga, and on to Ndumberi in Kiambu County at a cost of Ksh38.7 billion.
"The Government of Kenya has received commitment from China through the China Export Import Bank to finance the cost of the Capacity Enhancement of Pangani–Muthaiga–Kiambu–Ndumberi (B32) Road," KeNHA announced.
"The project will be implemented through FIDIC Silver Book – Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract Arrangements," the Authority added.
The project would also include the construction of new bridges at Muthaiga Golf Club, Mua Road Overpass, Coffee Garden U-turn, Tala Road Overpass, Ridgeways U-turn, Runda U-turn, and Kirigiti Junction Bridge.
Additionally, approximately six footbridges would also be constructed at various sections along the road to curb road carnage.
