Parliamentary Committee On Transport And Infrastructure Seeks Responses From PS Road On Status Of Roads’ Projects
Eng. Joseph Mbugua when he appeared before the parliamentary committee yesterday
By PSCU and MKT Correspondent
Worth Noting:
- The PS urged the Committee members to consider reinstating their budget allocation to the initial request made to the National Treasury, to facilitate the completion of several stalled projects including the Mau Mau roads.
- The PS also submitted a response to a statement raised by Rael Kasiwei of West Pokot County who had sought to know the status of Kapenguria- Lodwar Road, following the recent heavy rains that had swept a section of the road.
- The legislator further sought to know the measures the Ministry had put in place to rehabilitate the road, and the long-term measures put in place to ensure the safety of residents during the heavy rains.
The Departmental Committee Transport and Infrastructure yesterday received responses to statements raised in the House by several lawmakers from the Principal Secretary, State Department for Roads, Eng. Joseph Mbugua.
Among these statements is that of Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro who had requested for information regarding the status of Mau Mau roads in his constituency.
Munyoro had sought to know the reasons for the delay in completion of Mau mau roads in his constituency.
He further enquired on the plans the Ministry had put in place for resumption of works.
The lawmaker further wanted to know the mitigation measures rolled out to ensure roads are passable during the rainy season, as well as when the contractor would resume work on Ikumbi – Karinga – Gacharage road.
In his submission, Mbugua attributed the delay to inadequate budget allocation and delayed disbursements from the National Treasury to facilitate timely payment of the contractors.
Additionally, he submitted that the project is fully funded by the government adding that the ministry would liaise with the National Treasury to expedite the release by the exchequer.
The PS urged the Committee members to consider reinstating their budget allocation to the initial request made to the National Treasury, to facilitate the completion of several stalled projects including the Mau Mau roads.
The PS also submitted a response to a statement raised by Rael Kasiwei of West Pokot County who had sought to know the status of Kapenguria- Lodwar Road, following the recent heavy rains that had swept a section of the road.
The legislator further sought to know the measures the Ministry had put in place to rehabilitate the road, and the long-term measures put in place to ensure the safety of residents during the heavy rains.
In response, the PS noted that KeNHA had mobilised a contractor under an Emergency Framework to construct temporary diversions around the damaged road section.
He further pointed out that a temporary diversion had been dug out to allow vehicles to bypass the affected section and enable resumption of traffic movement.
He noted that the maintenance team had been able to complete the installation of culverts and rebuild the embankment and pavements, which had been washed away.
The PS informed members that the government had secured support from development partners towards the reconstruction of the Kitale- Kapenguria- Lokichar road.
“The German development agency KFW will support reconstruction of Kitale- Morpus Section, while the African Development Bank will support Morpus- Lokichar section”, he explained.
Members however called for a different sitting to seek clarity on the partnership, from the PS. They questioned whether the funds had been issued as grants or loans.
“Is the partnership funding a grant or a loan that the government will have to pay back? If so, there is a need to interrogate further the financial implications to shield Kenyans from the already ballooning tax burden”, Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ stated.
His sentiments were echoed by other members led by the Committee Chair, G. K. Kariuki who assured the lawmakers that the matter would be addressed during the upcoming retreat with the Ministry.
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