President William Ruto announced on Thursday that a multi-billion shilling road construction tender awarded to a French company has been rescinded due to the company’s failure to meet its contractual obligations with the government.
This decision came during the groundbreaking ceremony for a power plant in Menengai, Nakuru County, where Ruto instructed the private firm to cease all operations and exit the country immediately.
The President criticized the French contractor for not progressing on the dual-carriageway project connecting Nakuru to Nairobi, despite having entered into a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the government.
He attributed the severe traffic congestion along the Nakuru-Nairobi route to the contractor’s negligence.
“Traveling from Nakuru to Nairobi has become extremely difficult due to traffic jams.
I must inform you that the French company responsible for constructing the road has failed to perform, and I have ordered them to leave,” Ruto stated.
He expressed the urgency of finding a new contractor to ensure the highway from Nakuru through Mau Summit to Nairobi is developed into a dual carriageway to facilitate easier travel for residents of Nakuru and Western Kenya.
The President further directed the Ministry of Transport to collaborate closely with Nakuru County officials to address the ongoing traffic issues leading into the capital.
This directive coincides with the government’s plans to construct the Nairobi-Malaba Expressway.
During the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual summit in the United States, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed the government’s intention to develop a direct route from Nairobi to Malaba over the next few years.
He highlighted that the Expressway would significantly improve trade and regional connectivity.
Mbadi explained that discussions with the private sector are underway to establish the major highway through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
He emphasized the government’s strategy to utilize PPPs to lessen the financial burden of large infrastructure projects on the national budget.
“Through a PPP, we can expedite the construction and management of this project without overextending government finances.
These arrangements should focus on high-priority projects where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks,” he added.
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