Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Wednesday, April 19, explained that the Ksh160 billion Nairobi - Mau Summit Road project failed to kickstart over a Ksh30 billion risk the government was to incur yearly in the proposed contract.
While addressing the stalled project in Parliament, the CS explained that the investor had set a volume of vehicles to use the road yearly.
He added that failure to meet the target would have seen the government pay the investor Ksh30 billion in risks for 25 years.
Murkomen indicated that the government was negotiating with the investor to have the clause removed and was seeking to emulate the Nairobi Expressway model.
"We carry the burden if we do not meet the volume of vehicles using the road to the level the investor requires to repay the loans. The government will have to pay the risk for a long period.
"We calculated the amount and we were to pay between Ksh15 billion - Ksh30 billion consistently for the next 25 years. That will be an additional burden to the taxpayers," he stated.
On the other hand, he added that other investors had expressed interest in the project that was initiated during the reign of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Nonetheless, he reiterated the government's commitment to undertake the mega project.
"We have asked the investor to ensure that this burden is not incurred by Kenyans. There are other investors who are looking to invest in the road if the current investor does not agree to take part in the road construction," he added.
Uhuru initiated the project in 2020, with the contractor set to commence the construction of the 233-kilometre road in 2021.
In the project, various roads along the highway were to be dual with the aim of easing pressure on vehicles heading to Western Kenya.
It was also designed to have toll stations like the Nairobi Expressway to enable the investor to recoup the money used in its construction.
The construction was to be undertaken by a French company. However, President William Ruto put the project on hold upon assuming office.
