The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenya National Highways Authority) has been urged to avoid awarding multiple major road contracts to the same contractor, as concerns grow over delays in infrastructure delivery across the country.

This came as the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, under the Parliament of Kenya, inspected the ongoing construction of the Kisumu–Mamboleo–Miwani–Chemilil–Muhoroni road in Kisumu County on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Led by Vice Chairperson Didmus Barasa, the committee said spreading contractors too thin on several projects is slowing down the completion of key roads. Members warned that financial strain and delayed government payments are weakening performance on-site.

Barasa said contractors handling large projects must have strong financial capacity and should be allowed to complete one job before taking another.

“We can see some great progress on this road,” Barasa said. “However, you need to identify contractors with liquidity and capacity to deliver. Once you give them a fifteen billion shilling project, do not give them another until they finish what they have.”

The committee also pressed the State Department for Roads to speed up the release of funds to KeNHA. Members said delayed exchequer disbursements continue to stall progress and increase the risk of incomplete projects.

Committee member Samuel Arama warned that assigning several projects to one contractor could worsen delays.

“Assigning many projects to one contractor will strain them, especially when they are already struggling with cash flow as they wait for government payments,” Arama said. “This is an issue KeNHA must address during awarding and supervision.”

Progress noted despite concerns

Despite the concerns, the MPs expressed satisfaction with the progress of the road works. They said the project will improve transport, support trade, and open up economic activity in Kisumu, Nandi, and Kericho counties once completed.

The committee also noted that the Mamboleo interchange will ease traffic flow for motorists travelling towards Vihiga, Kakamega, and Bungoma counties.

Kisumu Town East MP Shakeel Shabbir welcomed the inspection visit and called for faster funding. He said delays experienced earlier had affected progress and raised safety concerns, especially around the Guba Bridge section.

“I appreciate this inspection visit,” Shabbir said. “We have seen steady progress over the last few weeks. I urge the ministry to fasten the release of funds to support the contractor.”

Officials from KeNHA, represented by Eng. Henry Gakuru and Eng. Fukwo Wafula, told the committee that three contractors are currently working on the project. They said the road stands at about 28 per cent completion.

They added that the revised completion date is January 2028, citing funding delays, pending bills, and weather challenges as key setbacks.

The inspection highlighted ongoing concerns about Kenya’s road funding system, contractor capacity, and project management. Lawmakers said better coordination between KeNHA and the Ministry of Roads and Transport is needed to avoid further delays and ensure value for public funds.