The Ministry of Transport and Public Works says it is registering progress on a number of infrastructure developments being rolled out across the country.        

According to the deputy minister, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, government has commenced other infrastructure developments and some will start soon once paper work is completed.

Chaola Mdooko said: “Possibly in December 2021 all being equal we will have the contractors on the ground, maybe works will start early or when rain stops.”

In the 2021/2022 budget, the transport sector was allocated K208.4 billion, or 2.0 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), representing 10.5 percent of the total budget.

Out of this, K94.5 billion has been allocated to the Roads Fund Administration for rehabilitation and maintenance of the road networks as well as continuation and completion of various road projects across the country.

The minister cited the recently launched Kenyatta Drive in Lilongwe saying it is scheduled for completion in a period of 18 months.

“The Tonse Alliance government identified 15 flagship projects, and one of them is the Kenyatta Drive which is a six lane starting from Parliament to the Shoprite.

“We have commenced the work, and we have given the contractor 18 months, the other one is the M1 Road which is under procurement stage.”

The budget statement further indicates that government is implementing the annual routine maintenance of the 4,998 kilometers of unpaved road network.

This involves grading and reshaping of the earth roads that are inaccessible during the rainy season.