MPs have raised concerns over prolonged delays, contract variations and gaps in project management at two Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Kisii County, questioning why facilities funded with millions of shillings remain unfinished years after they were due for completion.
The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education raised the concerns during an inspection of projects at Kitutu Chache South TVET College and South Mugirango TVET College, both under the mentorship of Kisii National Polytechnic.
At Kitutu Chache South, the committee examined a project that was awarded in April 2019 at Sh57.05 million and was expected to be completed within 52 weeks, by April 24, 2020.
The contract was later increased to Sh67.1 million after variations were introduced during construction. By December 2022, Sh50.97 million had been paid, but the facility was still incomplete.
Committee chairman Dickson Maungu said the delay was unacceptable, especially given the additional public funds committed to the project.
“This is the seventh year, which I think may not be condoned,” Maungu said.
Officials attributed part of the changes to the physical nature of the construction site, saying the slope had not been fully captured in the original generic designs.
Kisii National Polytechnic chief principal Geoffrey Andama said the contractor identified an opportunity to make adjustments after work started, including creating additional space because of the terrain.
The project is now about 90 per cent complete, according to Andama, who said discussions were under way with the contractor on the remaining works and resources needed. He said the contractor had indicated that the outstanding work could be completed within three months once the pending issues were settled.
The committee also questioned the absence of the original contract during the audit process and ordered officials to submit the complete project file.
“Why was the contract not provided to the auditor as at the time of audit?” Maungu asked.
Kiminini MP Maurice Kaikai Bissau criticised the project management, saying institutions that train technical workers should set an example in how construction projects are handled.
“This is an institution that trains builders. If you as an institution cannot walk the talk, I think it is very dangerous for this country,” Bissau said.
At South Mugirango TVET College, MPs examined another project that had stalled after the first contractor suspended and later terminated the works.
The project was initially contracted at about Sh55 million and was scheduled for completion in May 2020. The contractor stopped work in November 2019 over delayed payments and terminated the contract in August 2023, citing unpaid certificates of about Sh1.6 million.
By July 2023, the contractor had received Sh43.27 million.
The institution later awarded a second contract in August 2024 at Sh21.58 million to complete the outstanding works. By the time of the audit, Sh13.4 million had been paid under the new contract.
However, the committee was told that several works, including painting, ceiling installation and fencing, were still pending.
Clerk of Works Fredrick Mayaka said some of the additional works had not been captured in the second contractor’s original bill of quantities.
Bissau questioned why basic finishing works had not been included, pointing to weaknesses in contract management.
“How do you give work a contract for a building and avoid painting, which is basic?” he asked.
Lungalunga MP Munga Chiforomondo also questioned the process used to approve variations and contract extensions, saying such changes should not be made without proper justification and procedure.
Committee members said the problems pointed to weaknesses in planning, design and supervision of public projects. Maungu said project teams should establish the actual conditions of a site before construction begins.
“Good project management should ensure that before we even start, we know where we are going to head,” he said.
The committee directed Kisii National Polytechnic and the two colleges to submit complete project records, including contracts, bills of quantities, approvals for variations and payment documents.
Officials were also ordered to provide firm timelines for completing the remaining works.
Andama assured the committee that the institution was committed to finishing the projects, saying a newly constituted project management team was addressing the outstanding issues.
“We are committed to this completion. This project will be completed in the shortest time possible,” he said.
Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei said the committee expected clear timelines after officials engage the contractor, warning that repeated delays could no longer be accepted.
The committee will review the additional documents and completion schedules before deciding whether further action is required.
