Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir says the State has lost patience with contractors who abandon sites or repeatedly miss deadlines, leaving taxpayers burdened with half-finished roads, hospitals and public facilities across the country.
The new approach signals a decisive shift from tolerance to enforcement in the management of public works.
Speaking on Friday, January 23, 2026, during an inspection of the Agolomuok–Otati–Kogore road tarmacking project, Chirchir made it clear that excuses which have long been used to justify delays will no longer be accepted.
“For years, Kenyans have endured poor roads and stalled projects while contractors cite one reason or another. That era is coming to an end,” the CS said, warning that underperforming firms risk losing their contracts altogether.
The move comes against the backdrop of more than 500 stalled projects nationwide, with an estimated value exceeding Ksh2 trillion.
Speaking on Friday, January 23, 2026, during an inspection of the Agolomuok–Otati–Kogore road tarmacking project, Chirchir made it clear that excuses which have long been used to justify delays will no longer be accepted.
“For years, Kenyans have endured poor roads and stalled projects while contractors cite one reason or another. That era is coming to an end,” the CS said, warning that underperforming firms risk losing their contracts altogether.
The move comes against the backdrop of more than 500 stalled projects nationwide, with an estimated value exceeding Ksh2 trillion.
For ordinary citizens, the figures translate into daily frustrations—impassable roads during rainy seasons, unfinished hospitals lacking equipment, and abandoned school buildings gathering dust.
Across the country, communities have watched projects launched with fanfare grind to a halt, often shortly after ground-breaking ceremonies.
Across the country, communities have watched projects launched with fanfare grind to a halt, often shortly after ground-breaking ceremonies.
In many cases, machinery has remained idle for years as disputes over payments, design changes, or contractor capacity dragged on unresolved.
Chirchir acknowledged that delayed payments had previously contributed to project stoppages, with some contractors waiting up to 15 years for settlement of pending bills. However, he said that excuse no longer holds water.
“We have addressed the issue of pending bills. Contractors have been paid and brought back to site. There is now no justification for non-performance,” he said.
Pending bills crisis
The scale of the pending bills problem has weighed heavily on public finances. By September 2025, verified pending bills stood at Ksh525 billion, with State corporations accounting for the largest share at Ksh406 billion. Economists estimate that this burden effectively translated to nearly Ksh10,000 per taxpayer.
In response, the National Treasury allocated Ksh229 billion in the current financial year to clear verified arrears, prioritising sectors with the highest economic impact.
Chirchir acknowledged that delayed payments had previously contributed to project stoppages, with some contractors waiting up to 15 years for settlement of pending bills. However, he said that excuse no longer holds water.
“We have addressed the issue of pending bills. Contractors have been paid and brought back to site. There is now no justification for non-performance,” he said.
Pending bills crisis
The scale of the pending bills problem has weighed heavily on public finances. By September 2025, verified pending bills stood at Ksh525 billion, with State corporations accounting for the largest share at Ksh406 billion. Economists estimate that this burden effectively translated to nearly Ksh10,000 per taxpayer.
In response, the National Treasury allocated Ksh229 billion in the current financial year to clear verified arrears, prioritising sectors with the highest economic impact.
Roads and infrastructure received particular focus, given their role in trade, mobility and regional development.
By December 2024, the government had cleared Ksh123 billion in road-sector arrears, breathing life back into hundreds of dormant projects.
By December 2024, the government had cleared Ksh123 billion in road-sector arrears, breathing life back into hundreds of dormant projects.
An additional Ksh36 billion disbursed earlier had already restarted dozens of stalled road works.
According to government figures, at least 875 road projects across the country have since resumed, cutting across contracts initiated under successive administrations—from the late President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure to the current Ruto government.
Some of the most notable stalled projects include large-scale dam and road works that became synonymous with cost overruns and governance failures, eroding public trust in state-led development.
In December 2025, President William Ruto confirmed that the government had settled Ksh123 billion in outstanding road obligations, paving the way for accelerated completion timelines.
According to government figures, at least 875 road projects across the country have since resumed, cutting across contracts initiated under successive administrations—from the late President Mwai Kibaki’s tenure to the current Ruto government.
Some of the most notable stalled projects include large-scale dam and road works that became synonymous with cost overruns and governance failures, eroding public trust in state-led development.
In December 2025, President William Ruto confirmed that the government had settled Ksh123 billion in outstanding road obligations, paving the way for accelerated completion timelines.
Cabinet reports indicate that since April 2025, progress has significantly improved on contracts where payments were cleared.
0 Comments