Government blacklists 15 road contractors over poor workmanship
By Wangari Njuguna
The roads ministry has blacklisted 15 contractors due to poor workmanship and inability to deliver in time.
Roads cabinet secretary James Macharia said the ministry shall continue cracking a whip on the rogue contractors as it seeks to sanitize the sector.
"There is a big challenge in getting funds to implement the roads project and therefore we are not taking chances anymore," said Macharia.
Speaking during an inspection tour on the proposed Mau Mau road, Macharia regretted that the government commits a lot of resources to improve road networks but ends up getting less value for it.
Read Also: CS Macharia summoned over weighbridges
He said that some contractors disappear when paid upfront while others do a 'shoddy job' that they do net even complete.
"With the government's objective to tarmac 10,000 kilometers of roads, these rogue contractors are a major setback in this mission. As long as we are in office(sic), they shall not get any tender" he added.
Mau Mau road is projected to cost Sh30 billion. It will connect Central Kenya and Rift Valley.
According to Macharia, the project has been divided into four lots and tenders awarded to four different contractors.
"We expect the road to be done in two and half years time and we shall be monitoring the progress," he said.
Macharia said president Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch the construction of the road in January next year.
