Key roads agencies hit by leadership vacuum

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau with his Principal Secretary John Musonik at the official signing of the Vehicle Load Control Self-Regulatory Charter at the Mariakani weighbridge on October 13, 2014. Musonik announced on December 1, 2014 the expiry of the terms for Mr Meshack Kidenda of Kenha, Mr Joseph Nkadayo, of Kura, and Mr Mwangi Maingi of Kerra. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) are all being headed by acting directors-general, following the expiry of the terms of their respective bosses.
• Transport and Infrastructure Principal Secretary John Musonik Monday announced the expiry of the terms for Mr Meshack Kidenda of Kenha, Mr Joseph Nkadayo, of Kura, and Mr Mwangi Maingi of Kerra.
• Kerra will handle some 1,941 kilometres of the project or some 64.5 per cent of the job. Kenha is scheduled to handle 10 lots of construction and rehabilitation works, totalling 703 kilometres, while Kura will tackle a network of 364.48 kilometres.

By RAMENYA GIBENDI
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Three key roads agencies are facing leadership vacuums even as the government prepares to roll out its ambitious plan to construct some 10,000 kilometres of roads in the next three years.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) are all being headed by acting directors-general, following the expiry of the terms of their respective bosses.

Transport and Infrastructure Principal Secretary John Musonik Monday announced the expiry of the terms for Mr Meshack Kidenda of Kenha, Mr Joseph Nkadayo, of Kura, and Mr Mwangi Maingi of Kerra.

ACTING CAPACITY

“Mr Joseph Nkadayo will be replaced by Mr Peter Mudinya in an acting capacity until a substantive director-general is appointed,” read a statement from the ministry.

Mr Nkadayo had served as the DG since 2008. Mr Kidenda — who has been at the helm of Kenha since 2010 — is to be replaced by Mr Linus Tanui in an acting capacity after his term expired on Sunday.

Mr Maingi is to be replaced in an acting capacity by Mr Peter Karanja.

The changes come at the start of an ambitious road development plan to be implemented by the three agencies.

The project, mooted in August, targets construction of about 10,000 kilometres of roads through annuity financing. About 3,000 kilometres of these will be in the first phase.

COMPLETION DATE

The projects are expected to be completed by 2017, and are being implemented by the three agencies.

Kerra will handle some 1,941 kilometres of the project or some 64.5 per cent of the job. Kenha is scheduled to handle 10 lots of construction and rehabilitation works, totalling 703 kilometres, while Kura will tackle a network of 364.48 kilometres.

Recently, the Cabinet approved a proposal to collapse Kerra into a department within Kenha to form Kenya National Rural Roads Authority (Kenrra).

The new entity will develop and manage national highways and rural roads.