Hon. Kitovoto Mutinda, Mwingi central politician and youth leader, has expressed concerns over the implementation of the Kitui County Assembly office block project. Initially proposed as a seven-storey building with a budget of Ksh. 500 million, the project was later scaled down to a budget of Ksh. 250 million. Mutinda questioned the failure to conduct fresh procurement after the changes, arguing that it denied other contractors a fair chance to bid for the revised project, undermining transparency and accountability.
The proposed seven-storey office block, first included in the 2018/2019 budget, is designed to house offices for all Honorable Members, staff, and other amenities, serving as a hub for Assembly operations. After the tender was advertised in 2021, it was finally awarded in 2024 to Centurion Engineers and Builders Limited Company. The project, expected to take approximately two years to complete, has received assurances from the contractor that it will meet the highest quality standards while incorporating local labor to benefit the community.
Kitovoto also criticized the County Assembly Service Board for inadequate public participation in a project of this magnitude and questioned the appointment of a private consultant at the cost of Ksh. 30 million. He emphasized that the County Ministry of Infrastructure could have managed the project at a lower cost, ensuring prudent use of public resources. Despite assurances from the contractor, Mutinda called for greater transparency, accountability, and adherence to constitutional principles to safeguard public trust and ensure the project’s success.
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