FORMER MP JOSEPH LANGAT ACCUSED OF SHODDY ROADS JOB

Assistant Minister Lee Kinyanjui



Former Eldoret East MP Joseph Langat is on the spot over a controversially awarded tender for the re-carpeting of the Nakuru-Marigat-Loruk road in a project expected to cost the tax payer over Sh 107 million. Mr Joseph Langat’s company, Leseru Construction Company Ltd is said to have been awarded the tender due to his close friendship with the Nakuru Town MP. Interestingly another company Nyoro construction co.ltd had earlier been awarded the same work at an even high cost said to be in hundreds of millions of shillings, they pocketed the money and walked away with nothing to show for it. It is highly suspected that the tender awarded under the influence of MP Lee Kinyanjui who is also roads assistant minister, was also at first awarded to an Asian owned construction company before the decision was reversed and the former MP awarded the same. The controversy is further heightened by revelations that both Langat and Kinyanjui worked for the fugitive Yagnesh Devani of the Triton Oil fame that cost Kenyans billions of shillings in dubious oil deals.It is even being said that a commercial building now being put up by Hon Lee Kinyanjui in Nakuru town is a product of this arrangement.
Those well versed with operations of the former MP are wondering whether he will apply due diligence and transparency in the re carpeting of the road while still reeling from a CDF mismanagement matter where he allowed one of his officials to fleece and take off with close to Shs 40 million in tax payers money. The run away CDF official is said to have taken up refuge in South Africa to await the matter to cool off before coming back.
Already, as a sign of poor workmanship, road users are pointing at the section between Masingeri and Koibatek at which the contractor failed to install appropriate culverts leading to flooding of the road whenever it showers.
Resident of these areas now want an explanation from the director general Kenya national Highways development authority, Eng. Meshark Kidenda and his officers on the ground led by Eng. Omondi regional manager(Kenya national Highways development authority) whom they suspect have already been made to look aside by the contractor the same way The Standard and The Star newspapers bureau offices in Nakuru have been made to look aside by the wealthy contractors.
“This road is an important link to the tourism areas of Lake Bogoria and Baringo,” says a disappointed tour operator plying his trade in the area. “It is so unfortunate that even the senior people among them MP's who use this road are in a conspiracy of silence,” he adds.
Among MP's using this road are Luka Kigen,( Rongai), Prof Sambili( Mogotio) William Cheptumo,( Baringo North), Moses Lessonet( Eldama Ravine). Others are Asman Kamama,(Baringo east) Radio Africa chairman Kiprono Kitonny of Mogotio and, of all people, Gedion Moi, former MP Baringo central also director The Standard group.