Sh5.8bn Likoni channel cable car work set to start

Pre-engineering work for the Sh5.8 billion Likoni Cable Cars Express project is set to start next week after a lengthy delay.

The work will involve physical survey of the sites where the landing stations and the mast will be built on the two sides of the Likoni channel.

The landing station will be built over the road and all cable cars will come under the landing station.

“This week, there will be officers on the ground to do the pre-engineering of equipment in readiness for the take-off,” said Trapos Limited communication officer Mutahi Munyi.

Trapos are the sponsors of the project, and they got into a concession agreement with Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) last December.

KFS managing director Bakari Gowa said the officers’ mission will be to survey the land before the actual works start.

“The two major masts will be put on that land. The masts and the landing stations are the major installations in this project and the land where they are to be put must be given a clean bill of health for use,” said Mr Gowa.

Construction of the project is set to begin before August. The project, which was also delayed due to land ownership wrangles between KFS and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), now awaits the Cabinet nod.

“Since the contractual agreements between all the concerned government agencies have been done, we are only waiting for the Cabinet nod for the project to take off,” said Mr Munyi.

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State unveils system for tracking government projects

Kenyans can now track government projects done in partnership with the private sector from their computers or smartphones. This follows the launch of a disclosure portal that will provide stakeholders with up to date information on all Public Private Partnership Projects. It targets projects that will be done under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda.

“This disclosure portal allows not only Kenyans, but whole world, to see what the government is doing, through ppps,” said Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary Treasury. “It will ensure Kenyans are aware of which projects are being entered into between the state and the private sector, key financial information, which services will be provided and how projects perform under implementation stages,” he added. The website is a response to the requirements of constitution, the access to information act, 2016 and the public private partnerships act, 2013.

World Bank said the tool will enhance investors’ confidence and helps towards delivering sustainable and inclusive services that promote economic growth in the country. Procuring the asset with integrity and sincerely listening to citizens, users and stakeholders when designing and delivering infrastructure services are critical to the success of PPPs in Kenya,” said Diarietou Gaye, Country Director World Bank.