Graft linked to stalled KeRRA Machakos road project – Weekly Citizen

An engineer and three contractors were arrested by police over the stalled Sh1.2 billion road project launched by Uhuru Kenyatta in Machakos county over three years ago.
The three Esther Mwangi of Kenya Rural Roads Authority who is supervising the government-funded Ekalakala-Matuu road project, and contractors, Zebedeo Opore, Simon Kaingo and Richard Ombati were arrested by Machakos police led by the county commander John Karanja at the project’s site offices where they were meeting with the Machakos county development implementation and coordination committee.
The three are key players in the yet-to-start tarmacking of the 40 kilometre road that branches off Garissa-Thika road and runs across Yatta and Masinga constituencies.
In July 2017, Uhuru and William Ruto launched the project, dubbed the Upgrading to Bitumen Standard and Maintenance of Matuu-Ekalakala-Kakuku and Junction A3 Katulani-Junction C439.

Ruto and Uhuru

The arrested quartet was taken to Matuu Police station to record statements on the circumstances under which the main contractor, Kitho Civil and Engineering started and abandoned works on the road, before engaging the other two subcontractors, namely Zedjay Investments Limited and Tekwara Services Limited.
Before their arrest, Kaingo the main contractor had a difficult time trying to explain to the committee how he landed the expensive tender despite lacking capacity to accomplish the project.
The committee which was formed through a Presidential Executive Order is chaired by the Machakos county commissioner Esther Maina. Its secretary is Larry Mulomi, a director of the President’s Delivery Unit.
It is mandated to supervise and oversee all government projects in the county.
Kaingo could neither explain why the tarmacking of the 40 kilometre road which was started on July 21 2017 was abandoned soon after, yet he had received over Sh100 million in advance payment from the government.

Luke Kipchumba Kimeli

Some sections which had earlier been graded were impassable as they were overgrown with grass and shrubs, forcing motorists to use diversions.
It was obvious works were started and forsaken mid way, a situation the main contractor blamed on financial challenges.
A few sections of the stretch which have been given to the two subcontractors had indications of recent clearance of shrubs and grading works although the earthmovers were idling along the dusty project.
Weekly Citizen has information that the two subcontractors started work on the July 3 2019.
At one time, the main contractor Kitho Civil and Engineering Company Limited requested to subcontract some sections of the works to Zedjay Investments Limited andTekwara Services Limited who were approved on May 28 2019.
It is said that the contractor dragged names of top managers at Kura to land the lucrative tender despite being financially unable. Fear is that the project will not be completed within the stipulated time which is in February next year.
It was also established that the contractors were working without a programme of works of framework.
Mwangi has claimed she had done all what is required of her including updating headquarters on the reality on the ground but the contractor was arrogant claiming to be close to Kerra director general.
Another KeRRA-funded project was cancelled in Kangundo subcounty due to the inability of the contractor to execute it.