Wamatangi promises to repair two high-priority county roads

Two major roads in Kiambu County, which have been in dilapidated state despite consuming nearly half a billion shillings, are finally to be rehabilitated.

The Kimbo-Matangini road in Theta Ward, Juja Sub-County, and Thika Town Entrance- Garissa Junction, popularly known as Gatitu — both under investigations by the Office of the Auditor General — will now undergo reconstruction following a directive from Governor Kimani Wamatangi.

Despite gobbling up over Sh430 million during previous administrations, the roads have remained in a poor state, causing untold suffering.

On Thursday, Mr Wamatangi said his administration is committed to tarmacking them afresh. Speaking in Thome area, he announced that he had already deployed engineers to undertake a survey and costing of the projects.

He said the 4.7km Kimbo-Matangini road serves as a critical transport artery and has already cost over Sh300 million, according to the Auditor General’s report.

“We cannot allow these roads, which have caused immense suffering to residents, to remain deplorable. I believe previous leaders used these projects as a means to embezzle public funds, as detailed in the Auditor General’s report,” he said.

He further criticised the previous administration’s substandard work. “This time, when we award the contract, we will closely monitor the project to ensure people get value for their money,” he added.

According to the Auditor General’s report, the Kimbo-Matangini road was to be upgraded to bitumen standards.

The contract No. CGK/RTPW&U/45/2016/2017 was on May 11, 2017, awarded a cost of Sh170.5 million when the county was under first governor William Kabogo. Mr Kabogo is now the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and Technology, and the contract had a timeline of 18 months.

However, on November 14, 2019, one month before former Governor Ferdinand Waititu was impeached, the contract was revised to Sh213 million.

Auditors say no works were certified during their scrutiny since the last interim certificate of payment was done on March 16, 2020, under former Governor James Nyoro’s leadership.

The Auditor General’s findings highlighted further irregularities, including the absence of project inspection reports and bills of quantities, which made it impossible to confirm the actual scope of work.

“The project inspection reports and the bill of quantities were not made available for audit, and therefore, the scope of works could not be confirmed. In addition, there was no evidence that the contractor sought a contract extension and whether the contractor furnished the County with a renewed price bid,” the report states.