Kindiki warns defaulting contractors

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday warned defaulting contractors who delay projects, insisting that the state will not take any more excuses.

Kindiki said all contractors must take their work seriously for as long as they are getting paid using public resources.

He insisted that should they fail to meet the set deadlines, the government will not hesitate to cancel the contracts.

He added that this is the only way the people of Kenya will know that they mean business.

“All contractors who obtain government contracts and are paid using the resources of the people of Kenya must take their work seriously and take deadlines seriously, and the government will not hesitate from canceling any contracts where contractors were being paid or unable to meet deadlines.

“And this is the only way in the only language that government can talk for the people of Kenya, to know that we mean business,” Kindiki said.

The Deputy President spoke when he made an inspection tour of the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale County.

He said that while there is great progress in the construction of the fish port, the contractors must ensure they complete the project by March 15, 2025, as agreed.

"Today's focus was on the Shimoni Fish Port. It is almost ready, but there are some outstanding works. They must be completed. The contractor has been directed through the agency that is supervising the contractor, which is the Kenya Port Authority. Firm directions have been given that their works must be completed by March 15 without any excuse going forward.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Kindiki had inspected the ongoing modernisation of the Suam One Stop Boarder Point in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County.

He said once complete, the border would further enhance trade between Kenya and Uganda.

On Monday, Kindiki made an inspection visit to the Kenya Leather Industrial Park in Kenanie, in Machakos County.