Contractors working on Government projects have in the recent past experienced impromptu visits by the Head of State. The unannounced appearances by President Uhuru Kenyatta at various construction sites around the country have left contractors and even officials from concerned ministries nervous, unaware when the President will show up next.
In the past, it has been the norm for the President’s diary to be well known in advance, whenever such visits are planned. All relevant government officials, contractors and lead consultants were aware of the impending visits and made appropriate arrangements. But lately, the Head of State has chosen to make surprise visits without advance warning, often finding junior officials at the sites.
President Kenyatta has recently inspected Nairobi Metropolitan Service’s projects in the capital city, several projects in Mombasa including the Dongo Kundu bypass, Likoni floating pedestrian bridge and Kipevu oil terminal among others. Earlier, he drove himself to Nyayo National Stadium that has been under rehabilitation since 2017 and has now just been reopened. He also inspected Kisumu Port expansion works.
The President has stated that he wishes to personally inspect public works to see progress and ensure that contractors are on course to complete the projects as scheduled. Some contractors have been known to delay projects by making numerous claims that drive up the cost of projects beyond their original bids.
