Road contractors who flout contractual agreements risk being blacklisted and punitive penalties imposed on them, Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) has warned.
KeRRA deputy director in charge of Nyeri and Murang’a regions, Engineer Joseph Wanjohi sounded the warning Tuesday as the agency slapped a Sh4 million penalty on MaxVictor Enterprise limited.
The company was awarded a contract to reseal and re-carpet the seven kilometer Kariki-Kairo road in Othaya constituency, Nyeri County at a total cost of Sh 66,119,130 by the National government through KeRRA.
However, the contract which was supposed to commence on April 10, 2018 and be completed on May 10, 2019 has gone beyond the date prompting the contractor to seek extension by six months which has been granted.
Maxvictor Enterprises has done little on the ground triggering a protest by the local residents recently to compel him complete the road that serves the agriculturally rich tea growing zone of Chinga ward.
Engineer Wanjohi said road contractors who delay works would be surcharged from the cost of the contract and be blacklisted in the country.
Wanjohi who inspected the works was accompanied by the contractor, Nyeri South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Henry Ochako, Chinga ward MCA Kiruga Thuku and several members of the County Projects Implementation Committee, who underscored the importance of quality works and expectations of the locals to ensure value of their taxes.
He told the contractor to liaise with chiefs and farmers to amicably solve any dispute like drainages that may emerge.
Speaking during the same occasion, Deputy county commissioner emphasized on the need for dialogue in solving problems, adding that development cannot be realized through protests and demonstrations.
Ochako added that the Kariki-Kairo road was critical and an enabler in the realization of President Uhuru’s Big Four agenda.
He asked the contractor to report cases of theft of his materials to police for action after complaints that his cement was being stolen.
Area MCA said the contractor should carry his own cross if he does shoddy work.
A local resident Gachichio Mureithi and the chairman of the local boda boda riders Godfrey Wachira claimed that accidents along the road had caused loss of lives, as vehicles and motor bikes evaded the huge potholes that the contractor had failed to seal one year after the contract was awarded.
By Mwangi Gaitha
