Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba has unveiled new roads equipment worth Sh500 million, saying he will not waste time politicking with rivals.
He said the machines will ease the cost and ensure timely rehabilitation of roads.
“Let those who want to keep on politicking do so, but I will continue delivering on my pledges to the people of Trans Nzoia,” he said at his office in Kitale town on Saturday.
The county government has bought 10 graders, 10 tippers, excavators, mortar mixers, five drum rollers, five water boozers, a bulldozer, two 15-tonne lorries and a utility vehicle. Khaemba said the equipment will be distributed evenly across the five subcounties.
“Decentralisation of county roads construction and maintenance is aimed at realising faster pace of development based on the citizen-identified priority areas,” he said.
Khaemba said the equipment was bought through the Kenya Commercial Bank under an asset financing programme after approval by the county assembly. He said the machines will help cut down the cost of road construction and maintenance, enable timely repair works and do away with rogue contractors. The governor assured genuine contractors that the equipment is not meant to deny them business opportunities in the county government.
The machines will create 32 direct jobs for those with experience and skills, he said. Khaemba is in a fresh row with MPs and other leaders over graft allegations and bad roads.
Last week, county MPs blamed him for being among those who went to court over management of key roads under the national government.
MPs Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), David Wafula (Saboti), Ferdinand Wanyonyi (Kwanza) and Wesley Korir (Cherangany) said a court had handed the roads to the county government and Khaemba should be responsible.
Counties win case on roads devolution
Last December, the Attorney General was given 90 days to gazette the transfer of the roads function to county governments, in a ruling seen to give devolution a lifeline. High Court judge Mumbi Ngugi said the country risked delaying devolution on grounds that the counties lack the capacity to take over devolved functions. She said if this was allowed, the transfer of functions to the counties would keep on being postponed, which would weaken and undermine devolution.