The Kiambu County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) has with immediate effect taken over the supervision of Karatu stadium to ensure that it is completed within the timeline.
The drastic decision was arrived at Tuesday following a morning meeting attended the by the contractor of the project Mr. Alloyce Kinyanjui Kuria to explain the circumstances of the delay in delivering the project which was begun in 2017 but yet to be completed.
The project situated in Ndarugo division of Gatundu South of Kiambu County is at a paltry 25 per cent to completion with a handful of workers on site.
During the meeting, the contractor complained of varied instructions from the client, Sports Kenya saying they had received the latest that morning and the scenario confused the workers. He also said he had demolished several areas after the client complained of the material that had been used and in some instances added what was not in the initial drawings.
He told the CDICC held in the office of the County commissioner who is also the chairman of the committee that following the funding challenges, the project stalled between 2017 and 2020 but that he was willing to resume and complete it within the new timeline.
A return to work framework was signed on 12 May 2020 with a projected completion date of 31st July 2020 which has already been overtaken by events resulting in yet another revision to 31st December 2020.
The project comprises of a VIP pavilion, a football pitch and an athletics’ running track, their associated electrical, mechanical works and a perimeter wall whose contract is Sh259, 604, 780. The contractor has already pocketed Sh102, 180, 205.97 while the total amount required to complete the stadium Sh157, 424, 573.03.
At the close of the meeting, the committee decided to tour the stadium so that after the weekly tours which kick off next week, they would have a picture of whether there was any tangible work that is taking place.
The CDICC chairman also directed the contractor to do a realistic plan of work which would enable him complete the project as promised saying the project should be handed over by December in line with other legacy projects of President Uhuru Kenyatta. The report is expected to be at the office of the chairman by Friday October 9.
The meeting which was also attended by the client, Sports Kenya, who complained that the contractor was playing a cat and mouse game and that he had not adequately mobilized the materials and machinery that could enable him deliver the project as expected. Leading the delegation was the Director General Mr. Pius Metto who impressed on the contractor on the need to deliver what he had promised as they had paid him more than he required to be according to the present situation.
“Whenever you visit the site, you will find a handful of workers working on isolated sites with only 25 bags of cement which cannot be relied on to work optimally,” said Mr. David Ndung’u the consultant who is working with the contractor.
By Lydia Shiloya
