State to train local contractors on project handling

Local contractors will be trained on financial management and professionalism in handling projects in a move meant to ensure that they meet standards as well as timelines.

The joint World Bank and Kenya deal seeks to see more local firms involved in mega projects that have been going the Chinese way in the past.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the World Bank had agreed to finance the training meant to help contractors whose records have been poor prompting deregistration threats.

“We have discussed with the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation has committed to provide enough funds to train and provide capacity to these people.

They will be putting a programme to support these local contractors in terms of a lot of management issues. They do not know how to account for their financial obligations, manage resources and these will be covered by the   programme,” Mr Macharia said.

The CS, who was addressing members of the National Assembly Transport Committee while giving progress updates on the ongoing standard gauge railway project, said local contractors had been a thorn in the government’s flesh, prompting his recent warning to blacklist some.

Committee Chairman Maina Kamanda said Kenyan contractors who fail to deliver on time deserve to be blacklisted from future jobs.

Kenya has been involved in major construction projects in transport and energy with many tenders ending up with contractors from China.

The situation worsens the country’s balance of payments and creates an avenue for funds to leave the country with most materials already being sourced from outside.