West Pokot County Senator John Lonyangapuo has complained about the shoddy work done by various contractors rehabilitating roads and undertaking water projects in the County. The projects include the Kitale–Lodwar Highway and Kamatira, Lelan, Cheptongei roads and Muruny–Siyoi water project undertaken by the national government.
He said engineers and contractors overseeing the upgrades owe residents an explanation over the poor workmanship. “The work is substandard and relevant authorities should re-evaluate it before paying the contractors,” he said.
He said that travellers on the roads are bearing the brunt of the shoddy work. “Most of our businessmen have suffered huge losses due to the current condition of the roads,” he said.
He said the Kitale–Lodwar highway which is under rehabilitation has been handled badly and is still in a pathetic state. “The road still have many potholes. We wonder who is doing the job from Kitale to Murupus and from Ortum to Kainuk,” he said.
He accused the relevant bodies of using brokers who do substandard work. “We are sensing that that the contractors are brokers of certain individuals who are after swindling the money. They should not misuse public money,” he said.
The Senator said construction of the Kamatira, Lelan–Cheptongei road that connects the residents to Elgeyo Marakwet County was unsatisfactory. “Those constructing the road let down the government,” said Lonyangapuo.
He said that those doing the Muruny, Siyoi water project were doing a shoddy job. “The water systems are not good. They should start a fresh,” said Lonyangapuo.
Lonyangapuo called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate possible improprieties in handling of the road and water projects. “The contractors should be investigated to end misuse of tax payers’ money and smoke out briefcase companies who are out to defraud the public,” he stated.
Lonyangapuo revealed that the County is endowed with mineral resources such as limestone among other valuable minerals but potential investors were keeping off due to the bad state of the highway.Speaking in Kapenguria, he said that motorists on the road are going through a rough time because of constant breakdowns of their vehicles due to the numerous potholes along the route. “People repair vehicles after almost every trip to or from Lodwar as the impact of the potholes leads to unavoidable damages,” he said. “More than three thousand people have lost their lives at Kamatira area.”
Speaking in Kapenguria, he said that motorists on the road are going through a rough time because of constant breakdowns of their vehicles due to the numerous potholes along the route. “People repair vehicles after almost every trip to or from Lodwar as the impact of the potholes leads to unavoidable damages,” he said. “More than three thousand people have lost their lives at Kamatira area.” The highway also links the country to South Sudan, Ethiopia and other countries to the south of Kenya and is a vital transport channel.