MPs demand action as KURA–Kenya Railways dispute stalls Sh892m Likoni Road bridge project

A standoff between the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) has been blamed for the stalled Likoni Road Bridge project, which was supposed to be completed by September 2022.

As a result, Members of Parliament have now demanded urgent action, saying the delay is causing serious traffic issues in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and wasting taxpayers' money.

The Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy, chaired by David Pkosing, summoned the two institutions to Parliament on Tuesday to explain why the project remains unfinished nearly three years after its original deadline.

“Honourable Members, we were on the ground and saw first-hand 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,” Pkosing said.

The project, launched under the Nairobi Improvement Lot 2, was awarded on September 8, 2020, at a contract cost of Sh892,661,116.

It included a 24-month construction timeline and a 36-month maintenance contract worth Sh13,250,790. Despite this, there has been little progress.

A recent visit by the Committee to the bridge site revealed that a lack of coordination during the design stage is one of the key issues affecting progress.

KRC demanded a revision of the bridge design to allow installation of overhead electric railway lines, a change KURA says was not part of the original plan.

KURA’s Director-General Silas Kinoti confirmed that KRC had requested to raise the bridge height and width. He told MPs that a new design accommodating the requested changes would be developed as a separate package.

“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,” Kinoti said.

KRC’s Managing Director Phillip Mainga defended the requested changes, saying the increase in clearance was necessary to fit catenary power lines.

He assured the Committee that KRC was ready to co-finance the new design.

“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,” Mainga said.

The MPs criticised the two agencies for failing to consult each other during the project’s early stages.

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris asked why proper consultation wasn’t done at inception, while MP Paul Katana proposed that a variation of the original project be allowed to enable completion.

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• Kenya Railways Corporation
• Kenya Urban Roads Authority
• Likoni Road Bridge
• MPs demand action as KURA–Kenya Railways dispute stalls Sh892m Likoni Road bridge project
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“This matter cannot be brushed aside. As leaders, we have a duty to protect public interest and guarantee that projects are completed as planned,” MP Adan Keynan noted.

MP Duncan Mathenge urged both parties to come together and resolve the funding and design issues.

This is a shared facility between KURA and KRC. Both institutions must come together and find the resources needed to complete it,” he said.

Pkosing concluded the meeting by giving the two agencies two paths forward: either KURA completes the project with existing funds, or Kenya Railways mobilises extra resources to meet its requirements.

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

The committee also reviewed other stalled or ongoing road projects across several counties, including Kakamega, Vihiga, Machakos, and Kwale.