The Parliamentary Committee on Transport Public Works and Housing has begun inspecting Multi-billion road investments initiated by the government at the Coast region so as to see the quality of work being done.
During the tour, residents protested against the poor state of works being done along the Marikebuni Majengo-Marafa-Sosoni road in Magarini terming it as shoddy and not up to the standards.
The 48-kilometer road which is being done at a cost of Sh1.4 billion to upgrade it to Bitumen standards is behind schedule as it was set to be completed on July 6, 2020.
Parliamentary committee vice-chairperson Wamuchomba Gathoni who was accompanied by members of the committee together with senior officials from Kenya Rural Roads Authority, Kenya Urgan Roads Authority demanded answers from the contractor as to why there has been a subsequent delay in completion of the project.
“The contractor himself to explain why the work was not being done as per the standards required.We will not allow contractors to do shoddy jobs at the expense of taxpayers who are expecting to see quality work,” she said.
Locals at Marafa said the project was dangerous with so many corners and without any single bumps all the way further.
”We also want the contractor to ensure he extends the tarmac to the Marafa health center so as to enable easy access to the facility,” said a resident.
Others said it’s even dangerous to drive an ambulance rushing a patient along the road as it could lead to a major accident and death of the patient.
The vice chair said there was a need for the contractor to install bumps along the road and ensure the work is done to the standards.
”The reason we are here is that we are serving under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, and the funding comes from the National government through you as taxpayers,” she said.
She said they want to ensure that taxpayers get quality roads adding that they had witnessed the work being done along the road was not satisfactorily.
The Vice-Chairperson is accompanied by Sotik MP Engineer Koskei, Dominic Kipkoech, Ahmed Bashane MP Tarbaj constituency, and Garsen MP Ali Wario Garsen.
The Parliamentary committee also toured the Sh. 4.1 billion Baricho bridge which is also progressing well and the Malindi Salagate road that is complete.
