Construction works on the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriageway is set to continue after stalling for months.
The government has implored the Chinese contractor working on the road to ensure it is completed as funds are available, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station, he said the contractor had been awarded several other construction contracts that the government is yet to pay.
But he said the dual carriageway is being funded by the African Development Bank and that its funds are available.
“So when we paid him for the dual carriageway, he stopped working and insisted that we also pay him for the other contracts,” Gachagua said.
“But we have talked to him and agreed that he will complete it as he has been paid for it.”
The Sh16 billion project was started in late 2019.
It is part of the Great North road that starts from Cape Town and enters Kenya through Namanga before exiting into Ethiopia at Moyale.
It forms part of the 800km-long stretch between Nairobi and Moyale and passes through Muranga, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Embu and Nyeri counties.
The dual carriageway starts at the Kenol junction, going through Makutano, Sagana and Karatina towns before terminating at Marua junction.
Before its expansion, the road had a heavy traffic of motorists travelling to and from Nairobi and Isiolo, and experienced numerous accidents especially between Kambiti area to Kenol town in Murang’a.
It is expected to have a major impact on the regional economy by supporting the socio-economic growth of the area.
Once completed, it is also expected to foster the county’s trade with Ethiopia as it is envisaged to help resolve the neighbouring county’s import challenges.
Rigathi further noted that the government is working towards clearing the Sh2.9 billion compensation being demanded by landowners along the dual carriageway.
He said the government factored Sh1. 5 billion for the compensations in the budget, and that those owed below Sh1 million will receive the money in the next two months.
Those whose property is worth more than Sh1 million will be paid next year, Gachagua said.
“The people from Kangocho, Jambo, Thaithi and Marwa will be paid soon, but those around Karatina town, their compensation money is higher and they will have to wait.”
The road is scheduled to be completed in October.
Residents have said they are waiting for the completion of the project with bated breath, saying they have already started seeing the benefits of its expansion.
Carol Wangari, a trader in Kenol town, said many motorists stop over at the town to eat fast food and buy drinks as they travel to and from Nairobi.
This, she said, has in turn strengthened the economy of the town and provided job opportunities to locals as eateries and clubs are established in the town.
Kenol town, considered the gateway to the Mt Kenya region, is the only town in Murang’a county that has a vibrant nightlife and has overtaken Murang’a town that hosts the county headquarters.
Before the business boom in the town, Murang’a residents seeking to revel would travel to Thika town in Kiambu county or Sagana town in Kirinyaga.
The buzzing economy has also attracted popular clubs that are attracting people from other counties and hosts the only mall in the county.
Peter Kamau said the higher number of motorists expected to use the road once it is completed will bring more business opportunities for residents, and that it has caused property value to increase.
As it nears completion, the government has committed to constructing a Sh340 million road accidents response centre at Sagana.
Kenya National Highways Authority director general Kung’u Ndung’u said it will be equipped with modern facilities and will be jointly used by the five counties where the dual carriageway passes.
Ndung’u said with its history of many fatal accidents that have claimed more than 53 and maimed hundreds in the last two years, the trauma centre is long overdue and will help offer quick response.