A special manager will be appointed by the state to help oversee and hasten the completion of Kitale-Suam road.
At the same time, a Special Deputy County Commissioner will be posted to Trans Nzoia to specifically fast track land adjudication matters.
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call to Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba Monday, Interior and Coordination of National Government Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said that the special manager will report to the CS transport to ensure that the Sh. 4.4 billion Kitale Suam road that is behind schedule is completed without further delay.
The CS was responding to complaints of the delay of the project awarded to China State Corporation Contractors Limited who the County Commissioner said may not finish the project within the 18 months extended period.
The 45 kilometer road was supposed to be completed by August 2020 but the revised completion period is February 25, 2022.
Reports from the supervising agency Kenha indicate that there was slow progress by the contractor and there is need for infusion of cash flow into the project by contractor to facilitate increase of equipment and material to boost progress.
The completion status of the road is at 58.7 per cent against the expected 78 per cent of elapsed time.
The CS said that the government will not condone delay of any government project adding that this also delayed service to citizens.
On the posting of a Special County Commissioner who will be in Trans Nzoia specially for titling exercise, Matiang’i said that he will co-ordinate adjudication matters that will help the government realize processing of over 10,000 title deeds by June.
Governor Khaemba has asked the government to continue with the titling exercise that saw at least 20,000 title deeds issued.
According to the governor, 80,000 title deeds had been processed by a special team appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The process according to Khaemba has since been halted.
Matiang’i said that land problems in the region posed a security threat to the people and thus the need to move with speed and process the titles to end the squatter problem in the region.
He asked locals to embrace alternative dispute resolution methods to end squabbles that have halted the titling process in some farms in the region.
Some of the problems co-operative societies are facing need not to be in court. People need to sit to resolve issues outside court.
The CS later flagged off seven buses bought by Cherangany CDF to schools. He said the buses are part of the national government infrastructure to improve school development.
By Pauline Ikanda
