The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has attributed delays in the construction of the Sh8.4 billion Mombasa-Mtwapa (A7) Road to land acquisition challenges, compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs), delays in materials and population concentration along the road corridor.
The project, which began in November 2022, was initially scheduled for completion in November 2025. However, the works are currently 55.96 per cent complete.
The delays came under scrutiny when the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure inspected the ongoing project to assess its progress.
The Committee, led by MP George Kariuki, expressed disappointment with the pace of construction and questioned KeNHA and the contractor over the delayed completion of the project.
KeNHA officials, led by Director of Development Henry Gakuru, told the Committee that several challenges had affected the implementation of the project.
“Honourable Members, we have had problems with land and Project Affected Persons (PAPs) compensation due to inadequate budgetary allocation and delays from responsible public agencies like the National Land Commission. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East also led to delays in materials, in addition to population concentration along the stretch, which required section-by-section clearance,” Gakuru said.
The explanation, however, did not convince the Committee, which argued that the challenges cited by KeNHA and the contractor should have been identified during the planning and appraisal stages of the project.
Kimilili MP and Committee Vice Chairperson Didmus Barasa said KeNHA and the contractor were involved in the negotiations and planning of the project and should therefore have anticipated the challenges.
The Committee questioned why issues such as land acquisition, compensation and the population along the road corridor were being cited at an advanced stage of implementation.
Members said proper planning should have addressed the challenges before construction began, particularly given the scale and importance of the Mombasa-Mtwapa road project.
Despite the concerns over delays, the Committee commended KeNHA for the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives implemented for communities living along the project corridor.
The initiatives include training young people in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-related skills and supporting market expansion at Kongowea.
KeNHA told the Committee that it had reached an agreement with the contractor on a new completion timeline.
According to the authority, the remaining works are expected to be completed by December 16, 2027.
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