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Chirchir faces Senate over stalled projects, funding gaps

Chirchir faces Senate over stalled projects, funding gaps
Transport CS Davis Chirchir at a past function. PHOTO/@davis_chirchir/X

Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir has revealed that the many contractors encountered financial challenges early on, resulting in protracted disputes and a stalled project.

He said this when he appeared before the Senate to address widespread concerns over delayed infrastructure projects, stalled roadworks, and mounting funding challenges across several counties.

The Senate session, held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, was marked by tough questions from legislators pressing for accountability on slow-moving and incomplete public works, some delayed for nearly a decade.

 “The Ministry attempted to terminate the contract in 2019, but the contractor challenged the decision through arbitration. Subcontracting was later allowed, but this did not immediately resolve the impasse,” Chirchir explained.

He added that the government had recently disbursed Ksh88 million to jumpstart the works and that the subcontractor had committed to resume by the end of June 2025. Completion is now projected for December 2026.

 Unfunded and delayed projects

Senators also raised concerns over two bridges in Masinga Sub-county. Chirchir acknowledged that while designs for the Thika River bridge and Miu ya Ng’ang’a culvert are complete, there is no funding in the current budget.

“The cost for the Thika River bridge is estimated at Ksh20 million, while the Miu ya Ng’ang’a culvert will need Ksh15 million. Implementation will proceed once funds are secured,” Chirchir said.

 On the Devki–Kinanie Leather Park Road, also in Machakos, Chirchir said the project stalled for two years due to unpaid certificates worth Ksh1.7 billion, dating back to 2022. Work resumed after payment in 2024, with an additional Ksh400 million now allocated in the 2025/2026 budget. The road is expected to be completed by January 2026.

The Senate turned attention to the high-profile Nairobi–Nakuru–Eldoret dual carriageway. The CS confirmed that a previous Public-Private Partnership (PPP) procurement had been annulled and that a new concessionaire search is underway.

A past session in the Senate. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen
A past session in the Senate. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen

“Meanwhile, the Mau Summit–Eldoret section is still at the design stage due to lack of construction funding,” he noted.

He also addressed concerns over the Eldoret–Kapsabet road, saying the redesign to a dual carriageway covering 27 km had been completed, but construction would depend on funding availability.

However, he confirmed that periodic maintenance for the larger Eldoret–Chavakali corridor will begin in June 2025.

 Legislators criticised the pace of works and lack of street lighting on the Mombasa–Mtwapa–Kilifi road, particularly at the busy Kibarani–Changamwe interchange.

Chirchir responded that Lot 1 (Mombasa to Mtwapa) is 42 per cent complete, while Lot 2 (Mtwapa to Kilifi) has reached 64 per cent

“Lot 1 is expected to be completed by November 2026 and Lot 2 by March 2026. Installation of street lighting will begin in June 2025,” the CS said.

 He also confirmed that feasibility studies are still ongoing for the proposed second Nyali Bridge under a PPP model.

Private Vehicles Patrol  

Senators questioned the use of private vehicles for road patrols. Chirchir defended the practice, saying it is part of the Performance-Based Contract (PBC) model.

“It is the contractor’s responsibility to supply patrol vehicles and staff. This model reduces government overheads and ensures that patrol services like breakdown assistance and security alerts—are embedded in the contract,” he said.

 The CS assured the lawmakers that his Ministry remains focused on settling pending bills and completing key infrastructure projects.

“We are prioritizing projects with the greatest socio-economic return, especially in counties that have long been underserved,” Chirchir stated.

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