Senators are reading mischief following revelations that taxpayers will fund the rehabilitation of the old Mombasa, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki Way roads damaged during the construction of the newly built multi-billion-shilling Nairobi Expressway.

During the commencement of dry runs on the expressway, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the contractor will get Sh9 billion for the rehabilitation and improvement of Mombasa Road, sparking outrage from Kenyans who felt that the government was improperly managing public resources.

The lawmakers want the contractor of the expressway—China Road and Bridge Construction Company —to bear the cost of rehabilitating the road, as it is responsible for damages on the old Mombasa Road and should take full responsibility.

They said putting the cost of rebuilding the road to Kenyans amounts to a waste of public funds given that the company, which destroyed the road, has already been paid for constructing the expressway.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who petitioned the Senate’s Roads and Transportation Committee, wants the panel to summon Transport CS James Macharia and Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha)administration to explain why taxpayers should shoulder the cost.

“The CS, through the committee, should explain why the ministry has set aside Sh9 billion yet the contractor which is responsible for the damages on the old road and should take full responsibility,” he said.

Besides, Senator Cherargei wants CS Macharia and Kenha managers through the committee chaired by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi to explain why the costs of the construction of the Nairobi Expressway varied from an initial Sh65.2 billion to Sh72.8 billion—an increase of Sh7.6 billion

As well as why the KeNHA did not factor in the costs of rehabilitation and improvement of the old Mombasa Road in the initial cost of building the expressway.

During the opening of the Expressway last Saturday, CS Macharia said that his ministry has set aside Sh9 billion to repair Uhuru Highway, Mombasa Road and Waiyaki Way damaged during the construction of the 27.1km expressway.

Macharia said the cash would be invested for additional features on the old road including a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system as well as lanes for cyclists and pedestrians.

“We are going to enhance the old road – all the way from Mlolongo to Westlands – to make sure motorists who do not use the expressway also have a more dignified road,” he said.

Kilifi Senator Steward Madzayo said there is something fishy in handpicking the company to do the work saying if rehabilitation of the road was to be done, then it should have been through competitive bidding.

“The contractor of the expressway came to Kenya and found when we already had out roads. Now they destroyed our roads and it is just good that the person who damaged it should repair it,” he said. “This is corruption and we cannot tolerate it. We must know why this company, which is charging Kenyans to use the expressway now wants Sh9 billion to repair the one they destroyed.”

Procurement

On his part, Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki said the government should advertise for the job and follow the procurement processes instead of dishing out the tender.

“This contract must be awarded in the right ways through tendering. It will wrong and wastage of public money for such a project to be done without tendering,” Faki said.

Nominated Senator Getrude Musuruve called on the Transport committee to thoroughly probe the company was awarded the contract without due process to repair the road it damaged.