The implementation of the Kisumu Urban Project (KUP) is not slow because of political reasons, French Ambassador Rémi Marechaux has said.
The ambassador said the slow implementation of the project is a precautionary measure by the French government to avoid corruption which would result in shoddy work.
The Sh4 billion project funded by the French and Kenyan governments through French Development Agency (AFD) were scheduled to be completed this year, but much work is yet to be done with sources saying the projects may be completed in 2018.
Marechaux who spoke in Nyalenda during the commissioning of the construction of Nyalenda-Western Road which is part of the project said there was no politics in the project and that the priority was to do decent work.
“I am not a politician and I am not here to seek for your votes through promises. But what I want to assure Nyalenda residents is that we want long lasting projects which will take long time before repairs,” said Marechaux.
The projects include solid waste management which will see a sanitary landfill constructed at a cost of Sh800 million where the Kachok dumpsite will be relocated to.
Angira, Got Nyabondo, Rweya, Rota and Thim Bonde Primary Schools are also set to benefit from the project which will cost Sh78.5 million, Sh77 million, Sh99 million, Sh75 million and Sh70.8 million respectively.
The floodlight project which targeted to light up the slums is already complete at a cost of Sh100 million.
Marechaux said the French government is against corruption and would not allow shoddy work to be done.