The government has revised the deadlines for its projects in Mt Kenya ahead of the 2022 polls.
From the construction of roads to markets, contractors are to complete all their projects in the region by the end of the next financial year on June 30.
Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said some of the major government projects which include dualing of the 84km Kenol-Makutano (Mwea)-Sagana-Marua highway at Sh30 billion will be completed by June next year.
The CS said President Uhuru Kenyatta will personally commission the projects, which are being fast tracked, once they are completed.
“The reason why we have routinely inspected the construction is to ensure that the projects are fast tracked to the new time frame. The president is also closely monitoring and looking forward to their completion,” said the CS.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) chairman Wangai Ndirangu told The Standard they were under clear instructions to have the projects ready by June 2022 for a presidential launch before Uhuru retires.
To meet the deadline, Wangai said they had awarded contracts to several contractors who are simultaneously undertaking the works on the Kenol-Marua road.
The road will traverse Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties and is expected to significantly cut travelling times between Nairobi and Mt Kenya counties. The contract also includes extending the Thika Superhighway to Kenol Township to ease traffic congestion in the peri-urban area.
Wangai noted that construction of 540km Mau Mau cluster roads, which was scheduled to be complete by June 2023, will be done by next year. The road will traverse Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Nakuru counties.
Gatakaini to Njabini road will make a direct link between Murang’a and Nyandarua counties while Naivasha to Njabini road will improve the link between Nakuru and Nyandarua further enhancing trade between the two counties.
“Although we have revised the time frame, I can assure Kenyans that we shall not compromise the standards,” Wangai noted.
On why the projects’ time frame had been reviewed, Wangai said it was important that they were completed during the tenure of the person who conceptualised the idea.
Wangai disclosed that the president was also pushing for the completion of the Lapsset corridor project that includes connecting Kenya to South Sudan through Lokichar in Turkana, opening border posts of Kenya and Ethiopia as well as Kenya and Tanzania through Isebania and connecting Kenya and Uganda through Kitale-Suam road.
“We also have Muhoroni-Kisumu-Mambo Leo road which will connect Timboroa to the sugar belt that will be delivered before 2022,” Wangai added.
Another flagship project whose time frame has been reviewed is the construction of a six-storey Kigumo modern market, which will be complete in 12 months.
Political strategy
The revision of the projects to a time when President Kenyatta’s term will be coming to an end is a political strategy. Pundits argue the president will utilise the opportunity to stamp his authority and probably convince the region to unite ahead of 2022 polls.
Notably, Uhuru has kept off the region and has only been visiting the counties during major burial ceremonies or at Sagana State Lodge where he meets elected and opinion leaders.
In his recent interview with local radio stations, the president said he was aware that some people criticised him for not visiting the region, but said he was busy planning the development projects.
“Projects are planned in offices; I have been planning and pushing for the development projects and soon I will meet with locals while I launch them,” he said.
