Chinese firm put on notice for failing to pay workers
Trans Nzoia residents have raised an alarm over failure by the Chinese firm to pay drivers and other workers who have paralysed work on the busy Kitale- Endebes-Suam road .
They alleged that a fleet of 23 vehicles had been abandoned by the drivers who have not been paid salaries dating from October last year.
The residents who were led by endebes businessman Frank Wekesa said the vehicles KCT77T, KCS084Z, KCT702 among others had not been inspected by the Kitale NTSA officer in charge and were being used carelessly.
Speaking to the People Daily in Kitale, the residents demanded that the contractor pays the workers to avoid delays in completion of the project that would connect Kenya with neighbouring Uganda .
”We see and view this slow pace of the road construction works which could be the reason for the delay. The government should either cancel the contract or act tough to make sure the contractor finishes the project on time,” he said.
Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i on Monday warned that action would be taken against contractors who fail to finish flagship projects of the national government.
The CS who inspected the road and airstrip projects said the government had invested more than Sh20 billion this financial year to help finish projects of the National Government and warned against laxity by those entrusted with supervisory roles.
“It is not going to be business as usual for those who are not doing their work prudently. We cant watch as projects in Trans nzoia which is so important to the National government stall,” said the CS.
The CS who was also accompanied by his devolution counterpart Eugene Wamalwa are set to have a consultative meeting this Friday in his office to fast track completion of all projects before end of this year.
The CS also toured cherangany Constituency where he oversaw the handing over of 7 school buses bought by area MP Joshua Kuttuny through the NGCDF.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya told People Daily that no one would be spared for failing to implement government projects.
He told the contractor to make sure all concerns of the workers are addressed to the latter.