County Commissioner at the Ministry of Interior and coordination of national government, John Ondego says, the National Government has since 2013 spent 10.2 billion shillings under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) for road upgrades to bitumen standards in Kakamega county.
Speaking on Wednesday after leading members of the County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) for a two-day visit to assess the progress of the ongoing projects, Ondego noted that Road contractors in Kakamega County who won government contracts but fail to deliver will be blacklisted.
The Commissioner further warned that, such contractors will no longer be tolerated saying, those who already won the tenders must ensure they complete the projects as per the contract terms.
“Government awards contracts on the basis of proof of capabilities including financial capabilities and as such we will not entertain excuses of lack of finance” he warned.
Ondego’s warning comes after one of the contractors on the 26 Km stretch of Ibokolo-Sianda- Namabacha road deserted work halfway.
The Commissioner said the government was addressing some of the challenges affecting some sections of the road including relocating vital utilities like water pipes, electric poles, and land encroachment.
He said landowners who have encroached on road reserves must vacate since the government issued notices before the commencement of road construction, adding that in the event they fail, then the government will enforce the law.
He said a court case that has stalled a section of one of the roads was also being addressed.
“Government is constructing roads for the benefit of the people and this has opened up the rural areas and helped enhance the movement of goods and services” he added.
He said youths have also been able to get an income, particularly following the directive by the government that unskilled labor must be sourced from the respective localities where works were being done.
The Manager, KeRRA Western region Eng. Edwin Cheserek said, his department was following up with the contractors to ensure they complete all the roads projects within the budgetary limit.