By Our Reporter
The Sagana-Marua dual carriageway construction is facing technical delays due to issues in settling land compensation claims for project-affected persons. The 36-kilometre road project, which was expected to be completed by October this year, has only reached 79 per cent completion.
The Central Region Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) Resident Engineer Newton Itobi stated that while Lot 1 of the Sh14 billion project is currently at 92 per cent, the 36-kilometre stretch from Sagana to Marua is lagging at 79 per cent.
The state is optimistic that the outstanding issues will be addressed to ensure the contractor is able to complete the project by January 22 next year.
The Kenol-Sagana-Mau road, financed jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya, commenced on July 30, 2020, and was expected to be completed by October 18 of this year. The entire 84-kilometre Kenol-Sagana-Marua Road expansion project was earmarked to cost a total of Sh40 billion.
Engineer Sayed Antiqulla, an official of the China Wu Yi Company, told the County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee (NGD-CICMC) that the 36-kilometre stretch was behind schedule owing to challenges revolving around the speedy compensation PAPs, relocation of physical utilities, and technicalities in land acquisition.
Elizabeth Angira