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Auditor General has put on the spot Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) over dualling of the multi-billion-shilling Kenol-Sagana Marua road.

In the latest report for the Financial Year 2021/22, the auditor revealed that there were irregularities during the implementation of the project that was done in two phases.

With respect to Lot 1 Kenol-Sagana road, the local contractor was awarded 36-month contract worth Sh8.5 billion. Construction of the 48km road was to commence on October 7, 2020 with a completion date of October 6, this year.

However, audit revealed a review of the monthly progress report for October last year showed that the work was 64 per cent complete.

Further, the report indicated the amount of work certified for the contract was Sh6.4 billion while the amount paid to date is Sh6 billion or 71 per cent of the contract sum.

“Audit inspection exercise carried out in the month of November, 2022 revealed that although the unit designs and estimates for 29 motorcycle (boda boda) sheds and five modern market sheds were completed in November, 2021 and submitted to the Project Management and the locations for the market and boda boda sheds identified, no works on the sheds had commenced,” the report.

Report at the same time revealed that works on 24 access roads totalling to approximately 23.7 Km as well as works on Mitiini-Santamore, Makuyu Girls and Ciumbu centre had not commenced.

It said one 50 metres long footbridge at Kenol shopping centre had not been completed although the geotechnical survey had been completed and the setting out done. 

“The detailed designs and bills of quantities for the Sagana trauma centre had been completed but the works on the same were yet to commence,” the report.

International contractor

On Lot 2 Sagana-Marua road measuring 36km also awarded to an international contractor at a cost of Sh6.1 billion, the Auditor said a review of the quarterly progress report for July to September, 2022 revealed overall physical progress of work completed stood at 59 per cent against the planned physical progress of 61 per cent.

Further, it noted that the works certified to date amounted to Sh4.2 billion while the amount paid so far is Sh3.99 billion or 65 per cent of the contract sum yet as at now the time that has elapsed is 23.36 months of the completion period.

 Although the report said that included in the Project scope was the construction of one interchange at Marua, construction of two roundabouts at Karatina, construction of market sheds, construction of access roads and the construction of motorcycle (boda boda) sheds, physical inspection of the Project that was carried out in the month of November, 2022 revealed that the works had not commenced.

The auditor regretted that the delays in the acquisition of affected land and property on some sections of the road resulted to the delayed relocation of affected water pipelines and power lines which in turn led to delay in making payments to the contractor for some Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) which has caused slow rate of progress of work.

 “In the circumstances, the delay in implementation of the various project works may contribute to overall delay in the delivery of the Project by the two contractors,” it stated.