Members of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have reiterated that their commitment not spare anyone involved in graft.
Speaking during a fact finding mission of the stalled Lodwar High Courts projects, committee Vice Chairperson, Jessica Mbalu vowed to ensure the public gets value for money in form of development projects.
Ms. Mbalu said the committee is committed to ensuring the public get value for money in form of services and promised to ensure that the Turkana county residents access justice in courts at reasonable cost.
The Auditor General in his 2017/2016 report expressed concern over the Sh. 800 million Lodwar High Court projects prompting parliament to stop construction of the project.
Concerns over the cost of the three storey building project, which was initiated in 2013 and set to be concluded in 2015 were raised.
“We want to ensure the pubic get services, but at the same time the cost of the projects should not be exploitative,” said Mbalu, who is also the Kibwezi East MP.
The Turkana North legislator, Christopher Nakuleu said the county residents have suffered while seeking justice in courts in Lodwar.
“We need courts, not only in Lodwar but in the other sub counties to enable our people to access justice. We are going to look at the Auditor General’s report and give a way forward regarding the status of the stalled Lodwar High court project,” said Nakuleu.
He added that the committee members will not sacrifice public good, even as it seeks to ensure residents get services.
The committee members raised concern that the contractor was not on site during their visit.
Kiharu MP, Ndindi Nyoro also underscored the need for the government to honour its obligations to the contractors.
“Even as we seek to ensure the public interest and accountability is upheld, the government agencies should also be serious in honouring their commitment to contractors,” he said.
Nakuleu also assured that staff of the judiciary would not be evicted from the current building after they were issued a six months’ notice to vacate the premise.
“The land the judiciary is sitting on is public land, and you will not be evicted,” he said.
By Peter Gitonga
