The Government has pushed a road construction
company that has delayed to deliver a 41 kilometers stretch in Mathioya, Murang’a.
The Sh2.1 billion project has been completed despite the delay after it was awarded in 2012.
The focus on service delivery saw the allocation of funds for on St Mary- Gitugu-Mioro road, to increase business acitivities in the upper parts of Murang’a.
The idea to tarmack the road
designed to connect upper Mathioya with Murang’a town was initiated in 1990’s
before it was put on hold following rivalry between the former political
weights the late John Michuki and Joseph Kamotho.
The
two battled for political supremacy in the larger Kangema constituency.
Nyoro Construction Company Director Michael Kariuki said they have delivered the
project through the frustration of delayed remittance of money.
“
We are happy as a Kenyan company we have given the best project that will stay
for years without the need for repair,” said Kariuki as he supervised the
completion of the project.
Residents
of Mioro and Gitugi, he said have a reason to smile after the completion of the project, which was earmarked to be through in 2015.
experienced included delayed payment of
wages to the workers resulting to low morale, uncooperative neighbours who had
encroached the road.
Gatamathi
and Kenya Power companies also took long
to relocate their service lines to pave way for the project.
Three
years ago, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia
inspected the project, and issued a warning to the contractor that he risked
being blacklisted for taking long to complete it.
The
plan to have the road done was proposed in the 90’s but it stalled
following political rivalry in the larger Kangema constituency between
the late Cabinet Ministers John Michuki and Joseph Kamotho.
It
was revived again in August 2012 following the intervention of former Mathioya
MP Clement Wambugu, after several false starts.
CS Macharia on-road inspection
Three
years ago, Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia
inspected the project, and issued a warning to the contractor that he risked
being blacklisted for taking long to complete it.
The CS said construction of the Muranga to
Mioro will significantly impact the economic development in Murang’a, especially the sub-county of
Mathioya.
The project, he noted will
end in the productive tea growing areas, whilst boosting trade and other
commercial activities along the corridor.
“Further, it will
mitigate the risks faced by families who may have sick relatives in terms of
ease of access to health facilities,” he said.
The Government of
President Kenyatta committed to its completion and thus ease the suffering of
residents who had to wait for more than 8 years.
The
project attracted high-level
supervision from Kenya Rural Roads
Authority (Kerra) Eng Joseph Wanjohi and Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) official Ms Wamuyu Gachanja to ensure timely completion. Ends
