Samburu West Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVT) has not begun operating because area National Government Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has failed to honour a Sh10 million payment.
During an inspection tour of the institute by members of the County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC), it emerged that Samburu West CDF has failed to pay Sh10 million to enable the contractor to complete the project.
CDICC secretary and Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU) Director Timothy Kilimo noted that the construction of TVTs across that country was to be funded by national government and the respective CDFs.
“The total cost of a TVT construction is Sh50 million and the national government contributed Sh40 million while the area CDF was to pay Sh10 million for completion. After completion, the institute will be fully equipped and a principal posted,” he said.
Kilimo noted that the Samburu West TVT is 85 percent complete having received Sh40 million from the national government. “The contractor abandoned the project in January 2020 after area NG- CDF managers refused to pay the remaining Sh10 million for completion,” he noted.
However, Samburu West CDF chairman Geoffrey Lentuta confirmed that the remaining Sh10 million would be paid by November. “We have already factored the Sh10 million in our budget of this financial year and the contractor has agreed to commence work immediately after payment,” he said.
Kilimo urged CDF committees in Samburu West and Samburu North to emulate their Samburu East counterparts whose TVT started operating two years ago.
“TVTs countrywide are holding their first or second graduation ceremonies and their youths are getting into employment. This should be a wake-up call for Samburu County,” he said.
By Robert Githu
