Questions are now being raised about Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja after a Nairobi family linked the death of contractor Beatrice Njeri to long delayed payments from the Nairobi County Government, saying financial pressure pushed her into deep distress.
The grieving relatives claim the county failed to clear millions owed for a road project, leaving the family drowning in debt and emotional pain as they now struggle to cope with both loss and unpaid bills.
Family members said Njeri died on Friday morning at Aga Khan Hospital after battling depression that they believe was caused by heavy financial stress.
They explained that she had taken loans to complete a 2.7 kilometre road project in Ruai’s Kanisani area under contract NCCG/M&W/T/125/2023-2024.
According to them, despite completing the work in September 2024, payment has never been made, leaving her under growing pressure from banks and suppliers.
Led by her brother James Kang’ore, the family described how the unpaid dues affected Njeri’s health and daily life.
He said, “Tulifanya contract na tukadai deni kubwa ya barabara mpaka Njeri akaanza kushikwa na pressure sababu ya pressures za loan kwa hizo millions tulikuwa tumechukua kwa banks. Na pia tuko na madeni nyingi hatujawahi lipwa. We constructed the road in 2024 September and from that time alikuwa na pressures mingi sana na kwa hivyo tunaomba Governor asaidie tulipwe.”
The family believes the debt of Ksh.36,787,221 from the county became too heavy for her to carry.
Another brother, Peter Wambugu Githua, said they had made many follow ups since 2024 without success.
He stated, “Tumekuwa na madeni hadi mama akashiwa na stress na depression hadi akatuacha. Governor alikuwa amesema atatulipa since 2024 mpaka saa hii bado. Tuko na deni za tractors, fuel na mambo mingi sana na tunaomba tulipwe. We have been writing to them but they are yet to pay.”
He said the continued delays left the family feeling ignored and helpless.Ruth Wahome, a contractor who worked with Njeri, confirmed that the team completed the Kanisani road project and submitted their first invoice in October 2024.
She said, “Nilipigiwa simu na foreman wangu nikaambiwa Njeri ameaga. Tulipewa hiyo contract ya Kanisani na Njeri alisupply materials tukafanya kazi and the first invoice we raised it on October 2024 and still hatujawahi lipwa.”
Wahome added that the financial burden caused banks to repossess machines and vehicles used in the project.
She further appealed for payment, saying, “Njeri alifika mahali hadi pressures zikakua mingi vile machines zake zilianza kuchukuliwa na bank sababu ya loans. Mimi hadi gari yangu ilichukuliwa. Mimi naomba Nairobi County na other counties waache kuumiza contractors sababu wanakalisha pesa over two years…huyu mama has been very hardworking but now ako kwa kaburi. Tumedai over Ksh.36 million. Sasa watoto wake wamebaki maskini na bila mama na si vizuri. Tafadhali Sakaja, lipa pesa ndio hii familia isiangamie.”
Her statement reflects the anger and pain felt by contractors who say delayed payments are destroying lives.
The family is now urging Governor Sakaja and Nairobi County officials to settle the pending amount so they can clear a Ksh.3.2 million hospital bill that has led to the detention of Njeri’s body at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.
They say the payment would also help settle debts from construction materials and equipment used in the Kanisani Road project.
They are demanding accountability and quick action from the county leadership, saying no other family should face such suffering due to unpaid government contracts.
Leave feedback about this