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Poor road network: Lamu Senator calls for probe into alleged mismanagement of funds

The state of the road connecting Lake Kenyatta Primary School to Uziwa Junction in Lamu County, built at a cost of Sh19 million.

By Abdimalik Hajir | Sunday, December 31, 2023

Locals also expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting the inconvenience of having to travel long distances due to the poor road conditions.

The alarming state of the road connecting Lake Kenyatta Primary School to Uziwa Junction in Lamu County, built at a cost of Sh19 million, has triggered significant worry among residents.

Lamu Senator Joseph Kamau has strongly urged the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to conduct a thorough probe into potential mismanagement of funds, considering the subpar condition of the road despite the substantial investment allocated for its construction.

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In June, Senator Kamau approached the Standing Committee on Roads, Transportation, and Housing, seeking specific details about the road's upgrade, including the tender specifics, contractor details, allocated funds, and the scope of the project.

Lamu Senator Joseph Kamau.

The Ministry of Roads and Transport responded, indicating that the road was awarded for Periodic Maintenance of Mpeketoni-Mkunumbi Road, Lamu County, under contract number KURA/RMLF/COR/139/2021-2022 to Ramz Investment Group Limited for Sh19,093,688.

The ministry detailed the construction specifics, stating that the works began in November 2021 and were scheduled for completion by June 14, 2022, followed by a defect liability period of six months.

Senator Kamau, however, questions the dismal state of the road, particularly its impact on students' access to schools.

The state of the road connecting Lake Kenyatta Primary School to Uziwa Junction in Lamu County.

Local residents also expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting the inconvenience of having to travel long distances, approximately 200 kilometres, instead of the expected 500 meters, due to the poor road conditions.

This hardship has significantly disrupted their daily routines, raising concerns about the functionality and accessibility of the local infrastructure.

Macharia Wamaono, a resident, voiced frustration about the difficulties faced in accessing essential places like Mpeketoni market, Lake Kenyatta School, and the Mpeketoni Police Headquarters due to the ongoing struggles on the road, prompting questions about the accountability of the leaders in addressing these issues.