- MPs have raised concerns over stalled construction projects at Kitutu Chache South and South Mugirango TVCs in Kisii County.
- MPs have questioned costly contract variations, missing documentation and prolonged delays, with the Kitutu Chache South project remaining incomplete seven years after its 2019 award.
- Officials have been ordered to submit complete project files and payment records, with a warning that scrutiny will continue until the projects are completed.
The National Assembly Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education has raised concerns over stalled construction projects at two technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in Kisii County, questioning the management of public funds, contract variations and prolonged delays. The committee, chaired by Luanda MP Dick Maungu, raised the concerns during an inspection of projects at Kitutu Chache South and South Mugirango Technical and Vocational Colleges, where MPs demanded answers over projects that have remained incomplete years after their commencement.
At Kitutu Chache South TVC, the committee heard that a project involving the construction of a twin workshop, classrooms and an office block was awarded in April 2019 for Sh57.05 million and was expected to be completed within 52 weeks. The project remains incomplete more than seven years later. Audit records showed that Sh50.97 million had been paid to the contractor by December 2022, before the contract was varied upwards to Sh67.1 million, with the completion period extended by 139 weeks. The variation was attributed to additional works, including a retention wall and classrooms reportedly not captured in the original designs. “It is good to note for the record that this committee is concerned that completion of this project has taken extraordinarily long. This is the seventh year, which I think may not be condoned,” Maungu said, demanding that the contractor and project management team explain why the facility had not been completed despite additional government funding.
The committee also raised concerns over missing project documentation, after auditors were reportedly unable to obtain the original contract during the audit. Procurement officer Judith Mogere later confirmed that the contract existed, prompting MPs to question why it had not been availed to auditors. Kiminini MP Maurice Kakai Bissau said the failure to produce basic procurement and financial documents pointed to weaknesses in the institution’s management, warning that continued contract variations could expose the government to unnecessary additional expenditure. “This is an institution that is supposed to bring out the best builders and technical persons in construction. If you are not walking the talk as an institution, I think it is very dangerous for this country,” he said.
ALSO READ:
Govt extends deadline for first-time Varsity, TVET funding application to September 21
MPs further questioned the handling of the 10 per cent retention amount, after Finance officer Beatrice Kegwaro told the committee that retention had been included when reporting payments but acknowledged it had not actually been released to the contractor. Kasipul MP Boyd Were demanded documentary evidence showing whether the contract variations had been properly approved, while Maungu attributed some of the problems to inadequate planning, arguing that project designs should account for a site’s physical characteristics before construction begins. “The designs were done on a desk review, not on the physical ground,” he said.
Kisii National Polytechnic Chief Principal Geoffrey Andama, whose institution mentors Kitutu Chache South TVC, attributed some of the additional works to the sloping nature of the site. Andama, who said he had only recently assumed office, told the committee that approximately 90 per cent of the project had been completed, and that the contractor had left the site following a payment dispute but had indicated the remaining works could be finished within three months. Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei demanded a firm completion schedule, warning officials against returning to Parliament with further excuses, while Bomachoge Chache MP Alpha Miruka called for a detailed assessment of outstanding works before any further payments, suggesting the contract be terminated if the existing contractor could not complete the facility.
ALSO READ: TSC holds induction exercise for 136 newly recruited secretariat officers
South Mugirango TVC Project Raises Similar Concerns
At South Mugirango Technical and Vocational College, MPs encountered similar concerns involving stalled works, delayed payments, contract termination and variations. The original contract for classrooms, workshops and an office block was awarded in May 2019 at Sh55 million, with completion expected within 52 weeks. The project stalled in October 2019 at approximately 61.2 per cent completion after the contractor issued a notice to suspend works over delayed payments. By July 2023, Sh43.27 million had been paid, and the contractor terminated the contract in August 2023, citing non-payment of certificates amounting to about Sh1.6 million that had remained outstanding for nearly three years. The institution later awarded a new contract in August 2024 at about Sh21.58 million, of which Sh13.4 million had been paid by the time of the audit.
The arrangement raised questions among MPs over why a new contract had been issued after millions had already been spent on the original project. The committee was also concerned by conflicting accounts on whether the second contract had fully completed the works, as officials said the contractor had completed 100 per cent of the works in his bill of quantities, though several items, including fencing, painting, ceiling work and water-related installations, remained outstanding because they had not been included in the contract. Clerk of Works Fredrick Mayaka said a variation had been introduced to address omissions relating to the roof and other works, prompting MPs to demand the original bill of quantities and contract documents.
Bissau questioned why a new contract worth more than Sh21 million had been issued after the first contractor left the site over an outstanding payment of about Sh1.6 million, warning that weaknesses in contract management could expose the government to additional costs and legal claims. Sotik MP Francis Sigei questioned whether the project report presented to the committee was complete, while Were questioned how a building could be considered complete when basic finishes such as painting remained outstanding.
KU announces transfer opportunity for newly admitted KUCCPS students to Mombasa Campus
Maungu ordered officials to provide the committee with complete project files, bills of quantities, contract documents, payment records and evidence of approvals for variations and extensions, saying the committee would work with representatives of the Auditor-General to establish whether public funds had been used appropriately. Andama acknowledged the concerns raised and said a new project management team had been constituted to address the outstanding issues, pledging to work with the contractor and relevant government agencies to establish the exact amount required to complete the projects.
The committee warned that officials would be required to return with concrete timelines and comprehensive documentation, with Maungu saying the panel would continue scrutinising the projects until the millions already invested translated into functional facilities for students.
By Jeff Kirui
Get more stories from our website: Education News
To write to us or offer feedback, you can reach us at: editor@educationnews.co.ke
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
