French Firm Ordered Out Of Kenya After Tender Withdrawal
President William Ruto withdrew a multibillion-dollar road construction tender from a French company on Thursday after it failed to follow through on an agreement with the government.
The Head of State, speaking at the groundbreaking of a powerplant in Menengai, Nakuru County, ordered the private company to halt all further engagement with the government and leave the country immediately.
Ruto, speaking to the delegates, criticized the French company for failing to build a dual-carriage highway from Nakuru to Nairobi despite signing a Public-Private Partnership agreement with the government.
President Ruto attributed the heavy traffic jam on the Nakuru-Nairobi route to the contractor’s negligence.
While issuing the orders, the Head of State assured the stakeholders that the government had already begun discussions with another contractor about taking over.
“Travelling from Nakuru to Nairobi has posed a significant challenge because of the traffic snarl-up,” Ruto said.
Groundbreaking for the 35MW Orpower 22 Power Plant, Menengai, Nakuru County. https://t.co/Dq0xRRo1V0
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 24, 2024
“I want to tell you that the French company that was granted the tender to construct the road has failed in its duties and now I have told them to leave.”
He added: “So I told them to leave so that we can find another contractor because the highway from Nakuru through Mau Summit to Nairobi we must make it a dual-carriageway so that people from Nakuru and Western Kenya can go home easily.”
While reiterating the issue, Ruto directed the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with Nakuru County Government officials to address the traffic problem along the route leading to the capital city.
President Ruto’s directive comes amid the planned construction of the Nairobi-Malaba Expressway.
The National Treasury announced on Wednesday, October 23, that the government intends to construct a direct route from Nairobi to Malaba within the next few years.
Speaking at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual summit in the United States, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi stated that the Expressway would significantly enhance trade and regional connectivity.
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According to CS Mbadi, the government was in discussions with the private sector about constructing the major highway through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
He emphasized the government’s goal of using PPPs to offload the burden of major infrastructure projects from its balance sheet and reduce reliance on the exchequer for funding.
“Through a PPP arrangement, we can fast-track its construction and management without burdening the exchequer,” the CS noted.
“PPPs should be reserved for high-priority projects where the benefits clearly outweigh the risks.”
French Firm Ordered Out Of Kenya After Tender Withdrawal
