Shoddy Chinese first-class roads in Kenya to be scrutinised

Geza Ulole

JF-Expert Member
Oct 31, 2009
58,783
78,453


SHODDY JOB​


Road agencies criticised for substandard, stalled projects​


Senators want audit carried out on all works implemented by Jubilee administration​


In Summary
• Senators have called for an audit of all the infrastructure projects undertaken by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration since the 2014-15 financial year.

• Kitui Senator Enock Wambua said that some projects in his county have either stalled or are incomplete because proper feasibility studies were not done.

by JULIUS OTIENO News

Part of the Dongo Kundu project that links the Mombasa port with the the bypass.

Part of the Dongo Kundu project that links the Mombasa port with the the bypass.
Image: FILE

Senators have said laxity by the Transport ministry in supervising contractors of roads works is resulting into substandard infrastructure.

The lawmakers blamed the Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure for stalled and incomplete mega road projects across the country
They say mega road projects have developed cracks while others have worn out barely two years later despite billions of shillings of taxpayers’ money spent.

The senators criticised the agencies after it emerged that the Sh28 billion Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa has started deteriorating.

Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki said the Sh28 billion project has developed cracks and landslides are blocking the way.

Potholes have also developed, leading to the closure of some sections of the road, less than two years after the project was completed.

They are calling for an audit of all the infrastructure projects undertaken by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration since the 2014-15 financial year.

“When you look at the issue of most of the projects that have been undertaken in the country, there has been inadequate oversight by the relevant agencies,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said.

“It is sad that the cowboy contractors that were famous in the yesteryears are now on the loose.”

Cherargei said Kenha, which responsible for the development, rehabilitation, management and maintenance of all national trunk roads has not been maintaining them.

In Nandi county, for example, the senator cited the road between Mberere-Kopele in Kisumu county and Timboroa which he claimed is substandard.

“The road from Rivatex to Kapkatembu has been done in a substandard manner. The road from Cheptiret to Moi University is being washed away by floods because of the substandard work,” he said.

“There is danger in Chemuswa. All the roads have been done poorly in a mitumba way, yet we have Kerra which is supposed to be an oversight authority.”

Cherargei said the contractor has been doing substandard work for many years, yet Kenha has been sleeping on the job.

He asked the Senate Committee on Roads and Transportation to order an audit and censure Kenha and Kerra for the lack of supervision and oversight of the roads being constructed in the country.

Kitui Senator Enock Wambua said that some projects in his county have either stalled or are incomplete because proper feasibility studies were not carried out before the construction commenced.

Wambua said it would serve the country better if proper feasibility studies are carried out before construction starts so that Kenyans get value for that money.

Wambua noted that as the national government is undertaking critical infrastructure projects, especially roads across the country, it is not enough to construct them without doing a good job.

“It is appalling to hear that less than two years after billions of shillings were sunk into it, it has cracks and landslides are blocking some sections of it,” he said of the Dongo Kundu bypass.

Machakos Senator Boniface Kabaka apportioned blame on Kenyan civil, structural and mechanical engineers, whom he said issue certification for completion of the roads.

Senator Kabaka has also proposed that the Penal Code be amended so that criminal liability be preferred against the errant engineers and other professionals.

“They will not only be surcharged but also face a stiff penalty of even 50 years [imprisonment] and above. This is very serious and billions of Kenyan taxpayers’ money has been spent to put up roads,” he said.

Road agencies criticised for substandard, stalled projects

=============================================================


MY TAKE

Below is one of the example of Chinese first class roads in Kenya
 
NEWS
Please KURA, Did Kenyans Get Value For Money In The Ksh3 Billion Waiyaki Way-Red Hill Road?
by
Kahawa Tungu
14 days ago

Red-hill.jpg

[PHOTO/ OURTESY]


Early this year, a section of the Waiyaki Way-Red Hill link wall collapsed with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Chief Communications Officer John Cheboi blaming it on burst pipes.

Repairs were done but eight months later, the situation is not any better, with sections of the road now posing a public risk to motorists.


Photos shared online show that sections of the wall have been washed away by rainwater while on other parts rocks and debris hang dangerously on the sides.


Red-hill.jpg

[PHOTO/ OURTESY]

The link was constructed by a Chinese company China Wu Yi Co. Ltd at a tune of Ksh3 billion. The project was completed in 2019 and is barely a year old since it was opened to the public.

“The construction was funded by the Government of Kenya at a cost of Ksh3.01 billion and implemented by China Wu Yi with APEC Consortium undertaking supervisory and consultancy services. Scope of works include; walkways, bridges, culverts, overpasses, underpasses, drainage works, street lightings, landscaping and slope protection works,” KURA posted on their website.

However, the walkways, bridges, culverts, overpasses, underpasses, drainage works are in a sorry state, depicting shoddy works done by the company. The walls were built using blocks that on normal occasions are used to build houses.

Red-hill-link.jpg



drainage.jpg


According to regular users of the link, part of the ground has started sinking since no reinforcement was done to ensure the road remained firm on the overpasses.

“Meanwhile, across the highway, erosion has already started eating away at the bricks above the retaining wall. Soon enough, the bricks will start pummeling the Mercedes and Land Cruisers below,” said a Twitter user using the account @IanEcox.

Red-Hill-Link-Road.jpg


“The entire project is riddled with sub-par construction, but as usual the pedestrians and cyclists are an afterthought. Retaining walls never built or half-completed leading to erosion over the path. Potholes already appearing. Kenyans deserve better quality for their money,” he adds.

RH.jpg


RDH.jpg

Photos courtesy of @IanEcox on Twitter.

Please KURA, Did Kenyans Get Value For Money In The Ksh3 Billion Waiyaki Way-Red Hill Road?
 
Uzuri kuna period baada ya ujenzi , as a contractor utagharamia repairs

Kenha sasa hivi haicheki nao, unapelekwa kotini na kupigwa faini and being banned from tenders
 
0 Reactions
Reply
Back
Top Bottom