Kirinyaga governor plans demos over sub-standard road works

Kirinyaga County Governor Joseph Ndathi during a past ground breaking ceremony for construction of a new county headquarters. Without intervention, the governor warned he would lead demonstrations against the contractor. FILE PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |

Governor Joseph Ndathi has asked the national government to investigate a contractor building the Ngurubani-Ndindiruku Road for shoddy work.

“Even residents are protesting at the substandard work being done and the government should urgently intervene,” he said at Ngurubani Stadium during Madaraka Day celebrations on Wednesday.

County women representative Winnie Njuguna, Tebere MCA Gudson Muchina and the director of Tana Water Services, Mureithi Kang’ara, also faulted the work.

Without intervention, the governor warned he would lead demonstrations against the contractor.

“I’m ready to lead a demonstration against the contractor if he is not probed and appropriate action taken against him,” he said.

The county government, he suggested, should be allowed to supervise projects of the national government for quality.

The Transport ministry has said the risk of poor workmanship would be borne by contractors in the future.

The governor said a road in Kirinyaga Central Constituency tendered by the national government had developed potholes a year after completion.

“The Kutus-Kerugoya-Kagumo road was poorly done and it has started wearing out. Residents say the road is becoming impassable.”

County commissioner Erastus Ekidor said he was aware of the complaints about the road and promised to write to the Kenya National Highways Authority, saying no contractor would be allowed to tarnish the name of government.

Mr Ndathi said lights would be installed in urban centres to improve security. Mr Kang’ara asked the police to rein in miraa drivers who are increasingly causing road accidents through speeding.