9 October 2008
Nairobi — A contractor repairing the main commercial street in Nairobi's Eastleigh Estate might lose the job if he does not complete work by the first week of next month.
The Government promised to terminate the services of the contractor should he fail to wind up by November 1.
Ms Amina Abdalla (Nominated, Kanu) had asked if Mr Musalia Mudavadi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, was aware that the project had stalled.
The Athumani Kipanga Street, formerly Wood Street, is home to the famous Garissa lodges.
Ms Abdalla further called to the attention of the Government the fact that the sewerage system in the area was constructed in the 1950s to cater for a population of 30,000 people.
Waste discharge
The area's population currently stands at 500,000, creating a strain on the waste discharge system and needs to be upgraded urgently, the MP noted.
She claimed that the contractor had returned to the site this month upon learning that a question on his conduct was being taken to Parliament.
Assistant minister Robinson Githae assured the MP that the contractor would only be paid once the project was completed.
He said it was unfortunate that most African contractors only attracted criticism for their shoddy work.
"We are let down by our fellow African contractors. We try to help them but a number of them don't do a good job."
Quality work
Mr Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga, ODM) said the Government must ensure that contractors adhered to the original contract specifications and standards to ensure quality work.
With regard to the Athumani Kipanga street, Mr Githae cited perennial overflow of the sewer over the construction works and occasional dumping of garbage on the road by residents as some of the factors that had slowed down the rehabilitation work.
He also claimed that the post-election violence and the long rains had contributed to the delayed repairs.
Reports by Caroline Wafula, Odhiambo Orlale and Owino Opondo
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