- Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai commends KeNHA’s move to automate all weigh bridges to curb corruption
- The Public Petitions Committee seeks to leverage the policies imposed to transporters by KeNHA’s new road maintenance levies
- Kenya Transporters Association accuses KeNHA of double charging of similar goods and manhandling of drivers
Kenya National Highways Authority [KeNHA] has disclosed to parliamentary committee that Kibwezi-Kitui-Mbondoni-Miwani-Mbondoni road was suspended by contractor due to strained budgets
Appearing before the National Assembly Public Petitions Committee led by Kitui East Legislator Hon. Nimrod Mbai, the acting Director for KeNHA revealed that contractors left the site immediately after the General Election due to unpaid bills amounting to Sh1.55 billion
“The 55.7KM from Matinyani-Kauwi-Migwani-Mbondoni Road was fully funded by Government of Kenya but contractor moved out of site after General Election. The contractor suspended further works claiming of unpaid bills.
The bills have remained unpaid because of budgetary constrains but we hope once we get the budgetary allocation from the exchequer we shall resume the constructions of that road to improve economic activities alongside that corridor,” Ag DG told Hon. Mbai who sought the question in the first appearance on 22nd November 2023
However, KeNHA said that they have already released Sh326 million to National Land Commission for compensation of the affected families in the said project
“The remaining Sh1.598 billion outstanding amount will be disbursed once we get money from the exchequer,” they assured members of parliament during the committee session at Signature Mall, Pride Inn Hotel, alongside Mombasa Road
On Chuluni-Mwitika-Endau to connect Kitui town and Malindi approximated to be 197KM; KeNHA disclosed that the designs had been done awaiting funding because it good to open up economy between kambas and pastarolists
Other questions were the abandonment of Maumau roads where KeNHA assured tje committee that they will rehabilitate them since they fall under their purview
The Nimrod Mbai committee is seeking win win situation and probably to change some policies where KeNHA has been overcharging transporters when they overload and carry unrelated goods
According to Kenya Transporters Association is that there has been double charging on the goods levied something that makes them end up making losses instead of making profits
KTA CEO Mercy Ireri told the committee to relook on the punitive charges the transporter levied by KeNHA since carrying a different good apart from the one licenced for attracts punitive fines by the authority
KTA sought 14 days window to collect and present all their evidences before the committee
They include video clips, messages and other necessary documents where in one way or the other KeNHA officials mishandled drivers and transporters, something they seek parliament to address amicably
Mbai assured the association that they will make sure there is a level playing field for all stakeholders without sabotaging the other under disguise of collecting more revenues while inflicting pains and suffering to those who create employment
However, the committee thanked KeNHA for automating all their weigh bridges to reduce human interactions as a way to curb corruption and delays in processing tickets