Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned road contractors against abandoning projects despite receiving payments, saying the government will take tougher action against those that fail to deliver.

Speaking in Matangini area Juja Constituency, during the launch of several road projects, Kindiki said the government would closely monitor contractors, to ensure stalled projects resume and ongoing works are completed on schedule.

He said the government was committed to completing road projects and would hold contractors accountable for delays.

“The government would no longer tolerate contractors who secure tenders, launch projects and later abandon them despite receiving public funds. They must demonstrate progress on the ground and fulfil their contractual obligations,” Kindiki said, insisting that the government would take firm action against those frustrating the delivery of essential infrastructure.

He said stalled road projects had inconvenienced residents, delayed economic activities and undermined the government’s development agenda.

Kindiki maintained that contractors must return to work and complete pending projects, adding that public resources must translate into tangible benefits for wananchi.

Among the roads that were launched for tarmacking is the 14-kilometre Kimbo–Matangi-Qwa Kairo Road at a cost of Sh1.2 billion. Within Juja Sub-county, the tarmacking of the Ndarugo–Nyacaba–Kimuchu-Komo road that connects Juja and Thika Sub-counties is set to begin.

Already, the 25-kilometer Juja–Juja Farm- Munyu-A3-Garissa road Junction is 50 per cent complete, at a cost of Sh1.7 billion.

“We shall be very firm in monitoring the progress of these roads, to ensure successful completion,” he said.

The government has prioritized 1,656 kilometers of road for tarmacking in Kiambu County at a cost of Sh152 billion, out of which 368 kilometers, are already done at a cost of Sh20 billion.

In addition, dualling of the 223 kilometers, Sh200 billion Rironi-Mau Summit Road is ongoing, dueling of the Muthaiga-Kiambu town/ Ndumberi is set to start soon at a cost of Sh29 billion and a new Thika-Nairobi Expressway construction, will be launched shortly on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

By Muoki Charles