Deputy president Kithure Kindiki during a church service at Gaichanjiru Catholic church in Kandara, Murang'a on August 9, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA
The government has cleared Sh177 billion owed to road contractors, paving the way for the resumption of thousands of kilometres of stalled road projects across the country, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced.
Kindiki noted that the pending bills had contributed to delays in road construction, with contractors now returning to sites after receiving their payments.
“The Government has cleared the entire amount of pending bills owed to contractors, a total of Sh177 billion, which remained unpaid since 2020, leading to the stalling of the construction of 6,000 kilometres of roads across Kenya,” Kindiki announced.
He explained that the government had mobilised resources to settle the debts and ensure contractors resume work.
The payments come amid efforts by the government to revive infrastructure projects that stalled after contractors went for years without payment.
Kindiki spoke in Murang’a during celebrations to mark 100 years of Gaichanjiru Mission Hospital, where he outlined several government projects in the county.
He disclosed that two major roads in Murang’a that President William Ruto had promised had already commenced, with the first six kilometres of one contract completed and blacktop works expected to begin.
In Murang'a, Kindiki confirmed that the contractor working on the Makenji-Karimamwaro-Mukoe-Kandara road was already on site, assuring residents that several other road projects in the county were also progressing, including the Mau Mau roads.
The renewed push to revive stalled infrastructure comes as the government seeks to address delays caused by accumulated pending bills and financing challenges.
Several road projects had stalled over delayed payments, affecting transport and access to essential services. The government has since been settling pending bills to facilitate the resumption of works.
He noted that the government was also investing in markets, housing and hostels for students in technical training institutions.
The biggest boost, however, came for Gaichanjiru Hospital, which had requested Sh27 million to put up several buildings required to improve its services.
Kindiki revealed that President Ruto had directed the Ministry of Public Works to construct the required facilities at an estimated cost of Sh27 million, with the hospital management expected to agree with the ministry on additional facilities.
He pledged that the government would use the opportunity to modernise the hospital and committed Sh50 million for its upgrade.
The proposed works will include installation of a new intensive care unit, high dependency unit, theatre and laboratory, among other crucial facilities.
Kindiki directed that the contractor should move to the site as soon as possible.
“The government sees you as a partner in our development agenda,” Kindiki told the Catholic Church.
He commended the Church for complementing government efforts through hospitals, schools, universities, water projects and other initiatives that improve the welfare of citizens.
Missionaries arrived in Gaichanjiru in 1903 and established the hospital in 1925.
The hospital management had sought support for new buildings as part of efforts to expand services and respond to the healthcare needs of the community.
The planned upgrade is expected to strengthen specialised care and reduce the need for patients to travel to other facilities for critical treatment.
President Ruto also donated Sh10 million towards the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital, while Kindiki contributed an additional Sh5 million for the same purpose. Other leaders attending the event also made contributions towards the facility.
He emphasised that the donations would improve the hospital’s capacity and services.
The Deputy President further noted that the government was expanding accommodation facilities for students, with more than 180,000 rooms being constructed for university and technical training students.
“These are three years of transforming lives,” Kindiki remarked.
Kindiki was accompanied by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, Public Works Principal Secretary Joel Arumonyang, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and a host of local leaders.
He urged contractors and implementing agencies to ensure funded projects are completed promptly, stressing that development programmes should translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
