GOVERNMENT SECURES KSH 40 BILLION LOAN FROM CHINA TO RESTART STALLED PROJECTS ACROSS 15 COUNTIES

The government has secured a Sh40 billion loan from China to advance 15 halted road projects across more than ten counties, aiming to alleviate the issues caused by incomplete infrastructure.

Ndindi Nyoro, Chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, announced that construction is set to begin next month and will take approximately three years to complete.

Nyoro,shared that this agreement emerged from ongoing discussions following President William Ruto’s visit to China last October.

“We identified around 15 projects that were stalled beyond 20 percent completion. Contractors should be on-site by September,” Nyoro said.

This announcement comes as public concern grows over projects stalled by both the Jubilee and Kenya Kwanza administrations. Recently, lawyer David Morara has drawn attention for his nationwide tour to inspect these projects, including one of the 15 prioritized for completion.

President Ruto has pledged to focus on finishing existing road projects before starting new ones. Nyoro mentioned that the Ksh 40 billion loan will also help address pending bills and reduce the backlog of stalled projects.

For the current financial year, the government has allocated Ksh 60 billion for road projects, aiming to support ongoing work despite financial limitations.

“We are directing our limited resources toward domestic contractors to complete these road projects,” Nyoro stated.

Due to delays in disbursements and budget cuts, many contractors have had to slow down or halt their work, further impeding development. The National Treasury currently owes contractors over Ksh 150 billion for completed road projects across the country.

Nyoro noted, “Over the last decade, we’ve taken on more projects than we can handle, leading to numerous stalled initiatives, particularly in roads, where commitments exceed Ksh 800 billion.”

Among the projects to be prioritized is the 64.5-kilometer Metembe-Owalo-Rioma-Marani-Ng’enyi/Ting’a-Bobaracho-Ragogo-Kegogi-Nyakoora-Rioma-Gesieka-Nyaore-Mararo road, previously flagged as a failed project.

Other key projects include:

The 75.92-kilometer Kaibot-Kapkatembo-Kipkaren Selia-Kaiboi, Maili Nne-Tuiyo, Soko-Tuiyo-Aturei road, which will be completed under the Chinese funding agreement within three years.

The Ksh 15 billion Barpelo-Tot-Marich Pass road (43 kilometers) connecting Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties.

The 42-kilometer Kanyaumbora-Kamomo-Kageri/Muvakari-Kanyuambora/Gachoka-Gachuriri/Kangeta-Kiumbuini Roads in Embu and Kirinyaga Counties.

The 55-kilometer Piai-Murinduko, Mumbuni-Kiumbuini-Ndindiruku-Marurumo-Kiandegwa road in Kirinyaga County.

The 56-kilometer Ndaragwa-Maili Kumi/Ndaragwa-Kanyagia-Subuku, Ndaragwa-Ngamini-Uruk use, JnctB5-Karagoini Secondary School-Wakohoti Centre-Leshau Boys Secondary School, and Pesi-Kilimanjaro-Shamata Roads in Nyandarua County.

The 40.2-kilometer Ichamara-Thangathi-Rutune-Kariru-Kimathi/Mihuti-Rutune and Maseno River Sagana-Githuani-A2 Kariti Roads in Nyeri County.

The 40-kilometer upgrading of the Njoro-Beeston-Nesuit/Beeston-Lawina-Elburgon/Mauche-Sururu roads in Nakuru County.