The United States government has delayed funding for the proposed Sh300 billion Nairobi-Mombasa expressway.
Speaking during an interview with a local FM station, Ambassador Kyle McCarter said the US is scrutinizing the project to ascertain whether Kenyan taxpayers would get value for their money.
The envoy said the US is also concerned with Kenya's ballooning public debt.
"US zero tolerance for corruption has forced us back to the drawing board and we will only embark on the project once we are satisfied it guarantees value for money for Kenyans and will not sink the country deeper into debt," said McCarter.
He further said the US wants to establish whether the cost of the state-of-the-art infrastructure project was inflated.
“We did not want to sign onto a project whose cost would turn out to be three to four times higher than the actual."
"We want to ensure there is an honest return on investment for Kenyans before we break ground," McCarter stated.
The multi-billion-shilling contract for the construction of the 485-kilometer dual carriageway was awarded to an American engineering company, Bechtel.
“Bechtel did not lose the deal, we are still working on the finance. Kenya has a challenge of debt and we are wary of burdening Kenyans," the envoy said.
The project was declared viable following a feasibility study carried out by an audit firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2015.
The four-lane road will allow uninterrupted speeds of up to 120 km per hour, cutting travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi from 10 to four hours.
The road will run parallel to the current Nairobi-Mombasa highway and is expected to help promote trade and ease movement of people and goods in Kenya and neighboring countries.
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China refused to give these wakora money to extend SGR from Naivasha to Kisumu. The USA has followed. Who does not know the big percentage of that money will be looted.
The ambassador who speaks Swahili is an added advantage to the country! This guy knows Kenyans so well “”” VALUE FOR THE KENYAN PEOPLES MONEY”” I love this GUY
I SUGGEST YOU REMOVE THE "PORK" FROM THAT INFLATED 300 BILLION DEBT BEFORE YOU COMMENCE THE PROJECT.
MLIKA MWIZI!
“We did not want to sign onto a project whose cost would turn out to be three to four times higher than the actual."
My honest opinion. I think the US ambassador cares more about Kenya then the Kenyans care about Kenya. I have not seen a kenyan questioning the cost of the highway.
Thank you. God bless America.
I like every bit of what he said. Kudos Kyle! Someone is saying the truth for once!
They don't have the money...ain't it obvious?
I also suggest that the US supervise this Highway project and CONTROL the expense $ for $ from start to finish. PLEASE DO NOT HAND MONEY TO THESE CORRUPT LEADERS OF OURS.
The refusal or delay of the funding is a blessing to the Kenyans. "My people die for lack of knowledge".
We need research and more research to have understanding. Read " Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and also watch it on you tube.
It will be an eye opener for us all as we move forward!!
We need research and more research to have understanding. Read " Confessions of an Economic Hitman" and also watch it on you tube.
It will be an eye opener for us all as we move forward!!