Group Threatens Court Action Over Likoni Floating Bridge Project

A Mombasa based lobby group is threatening to move to court and then stage major demonstrations in Mombasa over the Likoni floating bridge.

The project done by the immediate former regime was estimated to have cost Sh1.9 billion to complete.

The project was done by the China Road and Bridge Corporation Company which is among the 13 companies that were blacklisted by WorldBank.

In 2009, China Roads and Bridge Corporation was barred for eight years, China state corporation and China Wu Yi were barred for six years, currently constructing Moi international Road, China Geo-engineering corporation was barred for five years, but currently constructing Mwache Dam in Kwale.
It is part of the reasons the lobby group now wants to seek legal redress, officials said.

Among the issues local leaders and the lobby group are seeking to solve  include the isolation of youth-run and startup companies in the procurement process.

Coast Human Rights Network officials said they will be enjoining Sakawa Agency Limited in suit to seek justice

Michael Magak one of its key official said that some companies owned by Chinese are undermining Kenyans.

“This is a serious matter. A local agency was awarded the tender which must be paid. We will use all means possible so that they get justice,” he said.

According to legal notice number 2001 executive order by the president, youth owned companies, people with disabilities and women are not supposed to be victimized at the expense of the big companies.

Also at the center of the tender awards is the refusal by Chinese owned companies to pay Kenyan companies subcontracted with them.

Sakawa Agency Limited, a youth group that was subcontracted by the said Chinese company is already in court battling to be paid a sum of Sh29 million for terminating their contract.

“We were among the several people and companies that were shown doors by the Lizipping project manager who colluded heavily with officials to frustrate us,” the group says. 

It has also been established that such Chinese companies win tenders through mischievous methods including bribing top procurement officers and senior executive officers from mother ministries.

George Odidi, a consultant at the agency said they are at the losing end and now wants the government to intervene and help them in getting justice.

 “We have been struggling in court since 2020 upto now and no justice at all hence need for help,” he said.