The new public bus system that the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority(NaMATA) signed into is indeed a welcome venture.
The chaotic city transport sector that reaks of mafia and money laundering activities has been ailing since the near-death of the Kenya Bus Services as it was intended.
As expected, the state has contracted another Chinese company, Stecol Corporation the lucrative Sh.5.6billion tender to construct the amenities.
This may have been attributed to its deep portfolio in Tatu City, and Outer Ring Road infrastructure projects.
The storyline also deviates from the operationalization of the project, to the acquisition of actual buses.
The envisaged end result is the decongestion of the Nairobi CBD.
The deal, as expected will elicit massive interests from cartels and economic rent seekers, salivating for a pie of the billions.
From the onset, we must set the record straight.
There is existing infrastructure at Thika Superhighway put in place by the Kenya National Highways Authority(KeNHA).
Amenities are already in place such as bus stops and footbridges. These only need sprucing up, not a wholesale replacement for the sake of absorbing budgets and fulfilling Public Contracting obligations.
There has been bad precedence where complete bridges are assembled in China….only to be shipped in Kenya, tax-free.
Nothing illegal here. Bus issues of equity sprout out. Stecol must therefore ensure that local contractors are hired to execute 40 percent of the works. This is the dint of any foreign involvement.
These must however not be the usual firms, owned by the same well connected individuals.
Fresh, youth based firms must get first priority here.
It happened during the mad rush that was the SGR project. It must never be allowed to happen again.
A modicum of decency in mega projects in Kenya must now be allowed to prevail. Otherwise, the risk of signing away whatever little dignity left to Chinese contractors is real.
From day one, NaMMATA must get it right.
And while at it, all the deals signed in whatever ink must be above board.
