DP Kindiki puts contractors on notice over Sh35bn Tharaka-Nithi road projects

By  David Muchui

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has vowed to end the marginalisation of his home county of Tharaka Nithi, pledging to ensure the timely implementation of Sh35 billion worth of road projects.

More than 90 kilometres of the over 150 kilometres of roads initiated by the previous administration have stalled since 2015.

Speaking at Marimanti, Tharaka Nithi, on Friday while launching a Sh685 million electrification project in Tharaka Constituency, Prof Kindiki decried the county’s past marginalisation, citing persistent delays in projects.

The Deputy President warned contractors and government agencies involved in new projects against sabotaging the works, vowing to keep an eye on progress.

“President William Ruto and I are still working hard to deliver our promise to the people. The contractors have been paid, and we will not tolerate slow or incompetent work. I will not entertain contractors who bring one tractor to a site and take six months to construct a section of road,” DP Kindiki said.

Prof Kindiki said the government had so far released Sh9 billion for road projects in Tharaka Constituency, with many progressing well.

“We are paving roads covering 515 kilometres at a cost of Sh35 billion. The 36-kilometre Chakaringa–Marimanti–Katunga Road will be tarmacked afresh. We are constructing a standard road pavement to connect Chiakariga, Marimanti and Gatunga so that students from across Kenya joining Tharaka University can access our institution. By Christmas Day, we will have completed the new Thingithu Bridge.

“The 30-kilometre Mioponi–Mukothima–Katunga road will be completed in the next three months,” the DP said.

He said the current administration was working hard to address historical imbalances in development that had left the area cut off.

“More than 18 years ago, President Mwai Kibaki promised the Ng’ongo Hospital–Kamachege–Mitunguu–Marimanti road. But those who were responsible for the project built only half of the road and left the rest unfinished.

“Today, we are completing that section under the government of President William Ruto and myself. I have directed the Ministry of Roads to ensure that this road is not neglected or done shoddily,” he added.

As part of the new projects, DP Kindiki said the government would build seven kilometres of roads within Tharaka University.

On electricity, the Deputy President said Tharaka Constituency, his home area, remained the least connected in the country.

He said poor connectivity was compounded by the lack of a substation in Tharaka Nithi County, leading to an unstable power supply.

“Electricity connectivity in Tharaka Constituency has increased from 11 per cent in 2022 to 40 per cent today through collaboration with local leaders. However, this remains below other constituencies, and more needs to be done to improve access to electricity,” Prof Kindiki said.

The Deputy President instructed Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira to prioritise the region in government programmes.

“I have instructed the Cabinet Secretary for Energy to urgently procure and construct a substation to stabilise electricity supply across Tharaka-Nithi County. The county government has already provided land in Kanjuki for the project.

“This substation will help stabilise electricity supply in Tharaka, Chuka, Igamba Ng’ombe and Maara and end the embarrassment caused by frequent power outages,” he said.

The DP vowed to personally ensure that action was taken against contractors who failed to deliver within the agreed timelines.

“I cannot allow contractors who have received government money to do shoddy work and keep me occupied with issues they should have resolved. I have a much bigger responsibility to help the President build Kenya. Tell those people that I am busy and will not tolerate such inefficiency,” he said, citing stalled hostels for Tharaka University and a technical college.

He also ordered government officers to monitor all ongoing projects in the county to ensure he was continuously briefed on their progress.

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