Sh4.9b road project in Nyanza resumes as state resolves payment dispute with local contractor
Joseph Ouma-KNA
The construction of the grand 63-kilometre Kisumu-Miwani-Chemelil-
Presidential Delivery Unit Director for Western Region Sylvance Osele confirmed that the national government has released funds, and the project is now back on track.
The Sh4.9 billion project, which commenced in October 2022 and is funded by the National Treasury, stalled due to significant budgetary constraints forcing the contractors to leave the site.
“Development projects in the Nyanza region currently have no financial challenges. The contractors have been paid up to date and no money owed to them by the government.
“But for Mamboleo-Muhoroni-Kipsitet road, there was a problem. But some money was sought, and the contractors have been paid for, and they are moving back to the site. So, we anticipate seeing accelerated work on this project,” Osele said.
He made the remarks during the Nyanza National Development Implementation, Coordination and Management Committee tour to assess the progress of various national government projects in Kisumu County.
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa, who chairs the Committee, noted that the government had awarded the construction contract to three firms including Sinohydro Company Limited, China Railways Tenth Group and H-Young Company Limited.
The road project was divided into three slots to shorten the projects’ duration. Slot One is running from Mamboleo junction to Miwani and will be constructed by China Railways Tenth Group.
Slot Two includes the section from Miwani to Chemelil while the third slot runs from Chemelil-Kipsitet and will be handled by Sinohydro Company Limited and H-Young Company respectively.
“We were able to visit Slot One of the roads. They are currently at 15 per cent completion. The contractor and engineers are back on site. Despite facing some challenges particularly in terms of his payments, he has promised us that he is not going to stop the works,” Mworoa observed.
Osele is optimistic that the road which traverses the rich agricultural counties of Nandi, Kisumu and Kericho would boost food security, trade and livelihoods and spur economic activities in the region upon completion.
Currently, motorists prefer using the smoother but longer Kericho-Kisumu Road, passing through Awasi and Ahero towns.
The tarmacking of the Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-
“The Mamboleo road will ease congestion within Kisumu County. It is going to be like a bypass. Reducing distance and travel time for the lorries that must go through Ahero all the way. It will be more conducive and save money for the drivers,” Osele stated.