The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Mr. Davis Chirchir, has informed the National Assembly that the government is actively addressing pending bills to ensure the completion of stalled road projects across the country.

Appearing before the House to respond to questions under Standing Order 42A(6B), the CS explained that contractors had abandoned works on several roads due to delayed payments.

Members of Parliament sought clarity on the status of roads in their constituencies, particularly those left incomplete after contractors downed their tools.

Among the legislators who raised concerns about various roads were Hon. Ouko Kaunya (Teso North), Hon. George Murugara (Tharaka), Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye), Hon. Martin Peters Owino (Ndhiwa), Hon. Mary Emaase (Teso South), Hon. Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), and Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East).

CS Chirchir informed the House that the Ministry had already disbursed 40% of outstanding payments to contractors, with plans to release another 40% in the coming days. This second installment will be financed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) tapping into the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), aimed at reviving 580 stalled road projects.

"The biggest challenge has been lack of liquidity to settle pending bills. That is why contractors halted work," said the CS.

He further noted that regional engineers were currently compiling progress reports on all road projects and contractors to help the Ministry assess the overall status.

In an effort of ensuring that all road works in the country are ongoing, Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Wetang’ula, directed MPs to submit updated reports on stalled projects within their constituencies

“If the CS is meeting contractors on Tuesday, send your reports to my office so he can address each case before releasing the next round of payments,” he directed.

Majority Leader Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah on his part urged the Ministry to go beyond payments and deal with internal inefficiencies.

"The problem isn’t just contractors, it’s the lethargy within the implementing agencies that is affecting road construction in the country. What measures is the Ministry taking to hold departments accountable?" he asked.

He called for stronger policy directives and personal responsibility among heads of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

In response, CS Chirchir stated, "As a Ministry, we have eliminated the excuse of non-payment from contractors. We have now engaged regional engineers from all three road agencies to streamline project delivery and ensure there is value for money in all the road projects in the country."

He went on to give assurances to the legislators that his Ministry is actively working to improve implementation and management of the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund to support ongoing and future infrastructure projects.