An electric train.
The Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) is on the spot for derailing the construction of the Likoni Bridge in Nairobi that is supposed to usher in a light electric commuter rail.
The railways agency is in a tussle with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) over the improvement of Nairobi Lot 2 – Upgrading of Shreeji Road and parts of Likoni and Enterprise roads.
The contract for the road works was awarded to a construction company at a contract sum of Sh892,661,116 on September 8, 2020. The project was to be done in 24 months with an expected completion date of September 30, 2022.
“Likoni Road Bridge was incomplete despite the time-lapse. The contractor had not submitted design drawings for the proposed bridge structure. A section of Shreeji Road was incomplete since the contractor was doing earthworks at the time of the audit,” Nancy Gathungu says in the latest audit report.
“In the circumstances, the project was not completed on the revised date of April 8, 2023, thus impacting adversely on the realisation of value for money.”
The Likoni Road Bridge section is, however, still pending, with the outstanding works way past the contractual timelines. The Public Investment Committee, on Energy and Commercial Affairs directed that the KRC sources the cash for completing the works.
“We directed Kenya Railways to lead fundraising for the bridge to reach the heights it requires,” said committee chairman Mr David Pkosing.
This is after it emerged that Kura had no budget for the Sh400 million bridge - an underpass for trains shuttling from Nairobi’s main station to Makadara. Kenya Railways chief executive officer Philip Mainga said the corporation would chip in as ordered by MPs.
He said the change of design was to standardize the bridge and that KRC is looking forward to introducing electric trains in Nairobi.
“So we wanted the bridge constructed with those facilities in place,” Mainga said. “The electric trains plan is part of the much awaited Nairobi Railway City project.”
Kenya Railways
Mr Mainga said, the Kenya Railways has been contributing to some of the roads, and bridges, that Kura has been building across the country.
“We shared the designs with Kura and agreed on what to do. The roads agency has no budget. We will create an additional budget and allow Kura to finish the bridge,” Mr Mainga said.
“We don't see cost overrun. If we can agree on a variation with our financiers, we can help Kura.” Kura Director General Mr Silas Kinoti who has also welcomed the move said they would also scout for resources within the Likoni and Enterprise roads upgrade project. We have to look for resources to support the project. We will sit and see where to make variations to include the bridge and reduce the strain on the exchequer.”
He said that despite the earlier agreements with the contractor for the Sh890 million road upgrade project, the law allows for variations.
The Auditor General, Ms Gathungu questioned the scope of the contract which included the rehabilitation and upgrading of the single carriageway of Shreeji Road (1.1 km) to two lanes two way 7m, construction of walkways and drains, expansion of the existing bridge over trail on Likoni Road and river bridge on Enterprise Road, concrete drains on both sides, pipe culverts and other drainage works and road furniture. On the Likoni Road Bridge, the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) insisted on a minimum clearance of 7.01m instead of the initially designed 5.6m (same clearance as the existing Bridge.
It was agreed that KURA was to improve the approaches to the existing Likoni Bridge while securing funds to demolish and construct a new bridge meeting KRC requirements.
On the part of Enterprise Road, works assigned to a contractor in December 2024, has completed the bridge over Ngong River and is ongoing with the completion of pavement works.
The PS said on Shreeji Road the assignee was to undertake completion of the pending 460 metres once done with Enterprise Road.
“The Assignee commenced work and the overall progress is currently at 85 per cent.”
emutai@ke.nation.media.com
