Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, EGH, appeared before the Senate plenary today to answer a series of questions from senators on the state of roads and bridge construction projects, particularly those delayed due to budgetary and contractual challenges. The session turned into a broad review of government efforts to address transport infrastructure needs across counties.

Responding to Senator Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) on the prolonged delays in the Kakuku–Ekalakala–Matuu Road project, the CS clarified that the initial contractor, Kitho Civil & Engineering Co. Ltd, experienced financial difficulties soon after commencement in 2015. The Ministry attempted to terminate the contract in 2019, but the contractor challenged the decision through arbitration. As a result, the Ministry allowed subcontracting. However, this did not immediately resolve the impasse. 

The project, originally expected to take just 24 months, has dragged on for 92 months with only 54 percent of work completed. The CS added that the Ministry recently disbursed Ksh. 88 million and has received a commitment from the subcontractor to resume construction works by the end of June 2025, with final completion now projected for December 2026.

Still on Machakos County, Senator Kavindu also sought clarification on the construction of two key bridges in Masinga Sub-county. The CS explained that designs for both bridges—one across Thika River and another across Miu ya Ng’ang’a have been completed but there is no funding allocated in the current financial year. He estimated the cost of the Thika River bridge at Ksh. 20 million and the Miu ya Ng’ang’a culvert at Ksh. 15 million, stating that implementation will proceed once funds are secured.

Addressing a separate question by Senator Kavindu regarding the stalled construction of the Devki–Kinanie Leather Park Road in Athi River, the CS confirmed that the project had faced a two-year delay due to non-payment of Ksh. 1.7 billion in pending certificates dating back to 2022. The contractor only resumed work after receiving the payment in 2024. He noted that Ksh. 400 million has been allocated in the 2025/2026 budget to continue the works, with the project now expected to be completed by January 2026.

On the broader state of infrastructure development in Machakos, CS Chirchir told the Senate that five major road projects are ongoing under KeRRA, with varying progress. These include the Kenol–Ngoleni–Mutituni Road, the Matuu–Ekalakala–Kangulu Road, the Tala–Donyo Sabuk Road, and others. He assured senators that the Ministry had cleared over Ksh. 380 million in pending bills in the county and that the projects will continue as funds become available.

Turning to Senator Samson Cherargei’s (Nandi) question on the stalled Nairobi–Nakuru–Eldoret dual carriageway, the CS explained that the project was initially awarded under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) but the procurement process was later annulled. The Ministry has since initiated a new PPP process to find a suitable concessionaire. Meanwhile, he confirmed that the Mau Summit–Eldoret section remains at the design stage due to the absence of construction funding.

Senator Cherargei also pressed the CS on the planned upgrade of the Eldoret–Kapsabet road, specifically whether it would be dualled and when the works would begin. In his response, the CS said the road had been redesigned into a dual carriageway covering 27 km, but that implementation would only proceed once funding is secured. He added that periodic maintenance is scheduled to begin in June 2025 for the larger Eldoret–Chavakali corridor, which is part of the same network.

On the Mombasa–Mtwapa–Kilifi road, Senator Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) raised concerns over the pace of work and lack of street lighting at the Kibarani–Changamwe interchange. CS Chirchir responded that the two sections of the project—Mombasa to Mtwapa (Lot 1) and Mtwapa to Kilifi (Lot 2)—are 42% and 64% complete respectively. He projected that Lot 1 would be completed by November 2026 and Lot 2 by March 2026. Regarding the street lights, he said the Ministry plans to install lighting starting June 2025. The proposed second Nyali Bridge, he added, is still undergoing feasibility studies under the PPP framework.

Senator Joe Nyutu (Murang’a) queried the use of private vehicles for road patrol services instead of deploying government fleet. In response, CS Chirchir explained that under the Performance-Based Contract (PBC) model, it is the responsibility of contracted service providers to supply patrol vehicles and personnel as part of their scope. He said this model reduces costs and ensures that patrol services—including mechanical assistance and security alerts—are embedded within the contract terms. As such, KeNHA has no plan to acquire or maintain its own fleet of patrol vehicles.

The CS concluded by assuring the Senate that his Ministry was committed to completing ongoing works, settling pending bills, and prioritizing projects with the greatest socio-economic return, particularly in counties that have historically been underserved