Bungoma Dual Carriageway Sparks Outrage Over Alleged Substandard Work, Misuse of Funds.
By I.P. Reporter
BUNGOMA, Kenya.
Mounting concerns about the Ksh 1.4 billion Kanduyi-Musikoma dual carriageway have sparked public outrage, with civil society groups, political leaders, and residents demanding answers from Bungoma County and national government agencies.
Despite the significant expenditure, the 6.5-kilometer road remains incomplete and riddled with defects, drawing unfavorable comparisons to similar projects in neighboring regions.
Albert Wamalwa, director of Citizens for Good Governance, has formally written to the County Executive Committee member (CECM) for Roads, seeking clarification on the road’s status.
He highlighted key deficiencies, including the lack of a final bitumen layer, incomplete drainage systems, missing pedestrian flyovers, and poor beautification efforts.
“The issues that the public considers incomplete are as follows: the laying of the last layer of bitumen, an incomplete drainage system, three pedestrian crossing flyovers, and the substandard beautification of the road,” Wamalwa stated.
Wamalwa also questioned whether the contractor or the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) was responsible for completing the road, referencing President William Ruto’s directive during his Madaraka Day address in June.
“The public is not sure if it’s the contractor or KeNHA who is supposed to finish the works as ordered by President Ruto,” he said.
“The public is calling on Bungoma County to confirm if public money has been lost through a contract that may be terminated with the project incomplete.”
Governor Lusaka Under Scrutiny.
Governor Kenneth Lusaka, who inherited the project from his predecessor Wycliffe Wangamati, has faced criticism for failing to address the road’s defects despite earlier promises.
While Lusaka condemned the original construction as “shoddy,” his administration has focused on painting and marking the road instead of fixing structural flaws.
Critics see this as a superficial effort to present an image of progress.
Questions Over Spending.
Bungoma Senator David Wakoli has previously raised concerns about the county’s expenditure of Ksh. 25 million on planting flowers and trees to beautify the road,an effort that has not produced visible results.
“The county government owes the people of Bungoma answers. How can Ksh. 25 million vanish in the name of beautification? Where are these flowers and trees?” Wakoli asked during a Senate session.
Safety Concerns Persist.
Residents have expressed frustration over the road’s poor design and missing safety features.
Edwin Wanjala, an opinion leader from Muyayi, described the open trenches and culverts along the road as hazardous.
“These open trenches were poorly made and have caused serious accidents over the last two years,” Wanjala said. “They are death traps and must be closed immediately.”
Additionally, streetlights along the road are no longer functioning, leaving stretches of the dual carriageway dark and unsafe.
Residents argue that the poor lighting, combined with missing bicycle lanes and uneven surfacing, has made the road more dangerous than usable.
Comparisons to Other Roads.
The Kanduyi-Musikoma road has been unfavorably compared to dual carriageways in Kakamega, Kisumu, Lodwar, and Eldoret, which feature better finishes, drainage systems, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Residents believe proper oversight and planning could have elevated the Bungoma project to the same standard.
Accountability in Question.
Critics have also questioned KeNHA’s silence on the project’s shortcomings, citing its role in ensuring national construction standards are met.
Meanwhile, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), where Lusaka reported the project for investigation, has faced criticism for slow progress in uncovering the truth behind the alleged mismanagement.
Wamalwa emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, warning that the public’s trust in local and national institutions is in jeopardy.
Call for Action.
Residents, civil society groups, and political leaders are now demanding swift measures to address the defects.
These include completing the final bitumen layer, fixing drainage systems, closing open trenches, and constructing pedestrian flyovers near high-traffic areas such as K.M.T.C college,Christ the King Cathedral and Chepkube Market.
“Compared to other roads in the region, this is a waste of public funds,” Wanjala said.
“The road was constructed without proper supervision from KeNHA, and the results are plain for everyone to see. Bungoma deserves better.”
With responsibility still unclear, the Kanduyi-Musikoma road has become a symbol of mismanagement and unfulfilled promises, leaving residents to wonder when, or if, they will see a completed project.
The CEC for Roads Bornventure Chengek Chemaket could not be reached for comment as his phone was switched off.
Ends.
