Audit Committee orders KURA & KRC to expedite completion of Likoni Road Bridge

Audit Committee orders KURA & KRC to expedite completion of Likoni Road Bridge

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 2𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy has directed the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) to immediately fast-track the completion of the stalled Likoni Road Bridge project.

During a meeting held on Tuesday with officials from both institutions, Committee Chairperson Hon. David Pkosing emphasized the urgent need to finalize the project, noting that the incomplete bridge has become a major cause of traffic congestion in Nairobi’s Industrial Area.

“Honourable Members, we were on the ground and saw firsthand the bottleneck caused by the standoff between these two agencies. I urge the leadership present today to urgently find a solution that leads to the immediate completion of this bridge,” said Hon. Pkosing.

According to the Auditor General’s report, the project—part of the Nairobi Improvement Lot 2 initiative, was awarded to a contractor on September 8, 2020, at a value of Kshs. 892,661,116, with a 24-month completion timeline set to end on September 30, 2022. 

It also included a 36-month Performance-Based Contract (PBC) for maintenance, valued at Kshs. 13,250,790. 

However, the project remains incomplete nearly three years past the expected delivery date.

The meeting followed a recent fact-finding mission by the Committee to the Likoni Road Bridge site, where members identified critical issues requiring urgent attention. 

Among the key concerns raised was the apparent lack of coordination between KURA and KRC from the design phase of the project.

Members called for stronger collaboration between the two institutions. Hon. Adan Keynan (Eldas) stressed the responsibility of public leaders to ensure the successful delivery of projects.

“This matter cannot be brushed aside. As leaders, we have a duty to protect public interest and guarantee that projects are completed as planned,” said Hon. Keynan.

Hon. Paul Katana (Kaloleni) suggested that a project variation be considered to facilitate its completion, while Hon. Esther Passaris (Nairobi) questioned why proper consultation was not done at the project’s inception.

Hon. Duncan Mathenge added, “This is a shared facility between KURA and KRC. Both institutions must come together and find the resources needed to complete it.”

In response, KURA Director General Eng. Silas Kinoti explained that Kenya Railways had requested modifications to the bridge’s original design. Specifically, they called for an increase in vertical clearance from 5.5 meters to 7.1 meters, and horizontal clearance from 8.5 meters to 11.25 meters.

“We understand the importance of this bridge in easing traffic congestion in the Industrial Area. A revised design that meets KRC’s requirements will be developed as a standalone package for future implementation,” said Eng. Kinoti.

KRC Managing Director Mr. Phillip Mainga added that the height increase was necessary to accommodate the installation of electric railway power lines. He assured the Committee of KRC’s willingness to co-finance the adjustments.

“We need the bridge raised to 7.2 meters to allow for the installation of catenary electric lines. We’re committed to working closely with KURA to ensure the bridge is completed,” said Mr. Mainga.

Following the deliberations, Hon. Pkosing issued two directives to guide the way forward: a) KURA should proceed to complete the bridge with proper road approaches and drainage using available resources, or

b) Kenya Railways should lead in mobilizing additional resources needed to raise the bridge to the required 7.2 meters.

“These recommendations are about moving the country forward and ensuring Kenyans get value for money in public infrastructure projects,” said Hon. Pkosing.

Other infrastructure projects reviewed during the session included, Road Annuity Programme Lot 18 covering Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia Counties, the stalled Jomvu Kuu–Jitoni–Rabai Road Project, upgrading of Mlolongo–Athi River–Joska Roads to bitumen standards, development of roads within Machakos County, including the Mombasa Road (Devki) Kinanie Park and East Africa Portland Housing Scheme and upgrading of township roads in Kwale and Ukunda.