Treasury CS promises to prioritise Sh166 billion pending bills for road contractors

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi addresses residents during during his homecoming ceremony in Suba Siaya county. [File, Standard]

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has vowed to ensure President William Ruto gets funds to complete stalled road projects.

Mbadi also promised to prioritise Sh166 billion pending bills for road contractors to ensure they resume work.

"The issue of roads is very important and critical. When you move across the country, all road projects have stalled," he said.

Mbadi said funding was the main challenge facing road projects in parts of the country.

"Contracts are awarded but there is no funding," the CS remarked.

He reiterated commitment to fulfill his CS roles in helping the president raise funds for development.

"I am going to make sure that I help the president get resources to complete all the stalled road projects across the country and pay all the pending bills of Sh166 billion for contractors," Mbadi said.

Mbadi was speaking at Kanyasa ward in Nyatike constituency where he was hosted by Nyatike MP Tom Odege during a meeting with local boda-boda stakeholders who presented their views on state of economy.

The CS urged Nyanza residents to rally behind the President and promised to support his re-election bid come the 2027 General Election if ODM leader Raila Odinga will not be on the ballot.

"What can make me make a U-turn is when Raila vies for presidency. If Raila does not vie, I will not have any doubt but vote for Ruto," Mbadi said.

He appealed to Nyanza residents to support the Raila and Ruto pact for the sake of development.

"We must choose our friends," Mbadi said.

He reminded residents that in 2007 General Election, Rift Valley voted for Raila and even defended his stolen victory, saying that this is an indication that they can work with Nyanza.

Mbadi said Nyanza should be ready to take over the presidency in 2032 when President Ruto’s term ends.

At the same time Mbadi cautioned the public transport operators to observe traffic rules.

"We want discipline in the public transport," the CS said, adding that the sector was struggling to get insurance because of the indiscipline in the public transport.

The CS promised to liaise with the Interior and Transport Ministries to restore sanity on the roads.