• The concerns arose from KeNHA's invitation of tenders for various road works for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the 2023-24 Financial Year which left out Nyanza.
• KeNHA said this wasn't an omission and explained that road maintenance contracts are always staggered depending on the running periods of the contracts.
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The Kenya National Highways Authority has welcomed public vigilance on the performance of its mandate but denied claims that the Nyanza Region has been sidelined in road upgrade projects.
The concerns arose from KeNHA's invitation of tenders for various road works for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the 2023-24 Financial Year which left out Nyanza.
The first quarter runs from July to September; the second quarter from October to December.
In a statement dated August 28, KeNHA said this wasn't an omission and explained that road maintenance contracts are always staggered depending on the running periods of the contracts.
"Indeed, earlier, in MyGov dated April 4, 2023, the Authority advertised for tenders for Road Maintenance for the 3rd and 4th quarters for the Financial Year 2022-2023. A total of fourteen (14) tenders were awarded for the road maintenance works in Nyanza Region for a cumulative sum of Sh1,575,460,575.23," KeNHA said.
The authority said the contracts include two Periodic Maintenance Contracts, three Performance Based Maintenance Contracts, eight Routine Maintenance Contracts and one Emergency Contract.
KeNHA revealed that it allocated Sh2,062,482,537 in the previous 2022-23 Financial Year for maintenance activities for the trunk road network in Nyanza.
It said over 40 contracts were awarded for paving roads and for routine maintenance for unpaved roads.
The authority said a significant number of the tenders are multi-year contracts with the shortest lapsing in March, 2024 while the longest will end in March, 2026.
"Similarly, in the current Financial Year (FY 2023-24), the Authority has allocated a budget of Sh1.85 billion for the maintenance of the entire national trunk road network in Nyanza, which is 1,555kms in total length," KeNHA said.
In view of the ongoing contractual commitments, the authority clarified, an advertisement for new contracts for the Nyanza Region is scheduled for quarter 2 of the current financial year (October-December, 2023).
"In the foregoing, it should be acknowledged that among the road sections planned for routine maintenance in both Fiscal Years include the Muhuru - Masara Road (B1) and the Sindo -Nyagwethe - Kiabuya Road (B2)."
Similarly, KeNHA said it has set aside Sh3.44 billion for the upgrading of the 170km Isebania - Kisii- Ahero road (A1), which also encompasses several feeder roads totaling 130kms in Migori, Homa Bay, Kisii, and Nyamira counties.
The authority added that it has allocated a further Sh833 million for the upgrading of Mamboleo –Miwani - Chemelil - Muhoroni (Kipsitet) road and Sh260 million for the completion of Kisumu Boys - Mamboleo road (A1) and the Dhogoye Bridge and Ahero-Kericho interchanges.
"The Authority is, however, impressed by the vigilance of the public in holding it accountable in the endeavour to ensure quality highways and quality connections equitably across the country," KeNHA said.