Demolition of structures along major roads in Kisumu is expected to kick off from next week as the stalled construction of Kisumu-Nairobi and Kisumu-Busia highways resume.
The Kenya National Highway Authority ( KeNHA) has earmarked several structures at Mowlem on Kisumu-Nairobi highway and Otonglo market within Kisumu-Busia road.
Addressing the media after assessing the roads on Friday, KeNHA Nyanza Regional Manager Michael Ngala said the obstructions within the project site have been the major cause of delay in completion of the road.
“The affected will not be compensated as they had either encroached on road reserves or occupied areas which had been acquired by the Government and compensations made,” said Ngala.
Industries, petrol stations, shops and kiosks are some of the common structures to be demolished.
Spectre International, a firm associated with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's family, is one of the structures likely to be pulled down.
Structures within Otieno Oyoo Road in the central business district are also expected to be brought down.
The road, which was expected to have been completed in December 2014, has been delayed with constant breaks since mid-last year.
According to a sub-contractor who sought anonymity, the Government has only paid 30 percent of the project cost, and with the contractor left with less than 10 percent of the work, he had demanded to have the balance paid before completing it.
"Our Government is very poor at fulfilling its promises and that is the reason the contractor wants the remaining bit of the payment before he can complete the work and hand it over," said the sub-contractor.
Ngala, however, dismissed the allegations saying the Government has no payment issues with the contractor.