Friday, July 11, 2014

Machakos defends newly built 33km Kithimani Road

Friday, July 11, 2014 - 00:00 -- BY STEPHEN ASTARIKO
IT?S GOOD: Workers repair Makutano Ma Mwala to Kithimani Road (C100) few days after Machakos Governor lauched the road for use by motorist. Photo/David Ndolo
IT?S GOOD: Workers repair Makutano Ma Mwala to Kithimani Road (C100) few days after Machakos Governor lauched the road for use by motorist. Photo/David Ndolo
THE Machakos government yesterday dismissed claims that a newly tarmacked road is in a state of disrepair.
The 33km Makutano-Kithimani road was recently opened by Governor Alfred Mutua.
But last week, the Star obtained photos showing that the road is peeling off and potholes emerging.
Some 11 contractors built the road, with each doing 3km.
Yesterday, however, the road was already carpeted and our team found workers on site doing repairs.
County Roads executive Kioko Wa Luka said the workers were contractors doing routine maintenance.
He said he is satisfied with the work and those claiming that the road is wearing out are only mudslinging the county government.
"It is all witch-hunt. I was there this morning (yesterday) and was happy with the works," Kioko said.
He said the only section of the road that had issues was between Kabaa market and Athi River.
Kioko said the first coat of the tarmac was destabilised by heavy lorries that ferried electricity poles in the area before the coat dried.
He said the contractor had been asked to re-carpet the section and the county is still holding the retention fee as per the contract.
They will maintain the road for six months, Kioko said.
Some MCAs have termed it as one of the biggest corrupt projects in the county for the financial year 2013-14.
Ndalani ward representative Stephen Muthuka said the outcome of the project is not worth the Sh650 million spent.
“The project is actually an Anglo Leasing-like scandal in the making and the big worry is that the county government cannot hold the contractors accountable since it is a done deal,” he said.
Muthuka also took issue with the street lights and CCTV cameras installed on the road, saying they are not a priority to the residents.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-176053/machakos-defends-newly-built-33km-kithimani-road#sthash.8EIGP1ym.dpuf

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