He said the firm took time to do the work but eventually did it shoddily. Soon potholes were back on the road. Thuku said the contractor lost the tender and a new one was given the job. But still, nothing changed. They said he was equally doing a shoddy job.
"The contractor whom we do not know started cleaning the potholes and removing the debris but again left them open. This angered the local people," he said.
Kiruga said by cleaning and opening the potholes further and failing to fix them, the contractor was worsening the situation as water stagnated in the holes and endangered lives of road users.
“Vehicles have started avoiding this road opting for alternative routes to get to their destinations. And because people are still complaining about the poor state of the road, that is why I opted to have the potholes refilled,” he said.
The MCA pledged to bring more murram and ensure they complete the work.
Resident Muguku Witu said the road has been in a bad state for the past four years. Another resident, John Githunu, said the potholes had caused many accidents and urged MP Gichuki Mugambi to intervene.
MCA Thuku had reported to the Nyeri county commissioner who sent deputy county commissioner Henry Ochako and Kerra deputy director Joseph Wanjohi at the site in May.
Wanjohi, who is in charge of Murang’a and Nyeri, read the riot act to the contractor, warning him that he would lose Sh4 million in fines for further delay.
“The message is very clear in the contract document that after the contract period is over, we charge damages to a maximum of five per cent of the contract sum,” Wanjohi said.
He also warned the contractor that he would be blacklisted if he did not complete the road on time.
(Edited by F'Orieny)
