Teso North Member of Parliament, Oku Kaunya, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to contractors responsible for stalled development projects in his constituency.
Speaking during the commissioning of a Ksh3.5 million library project, the lawmaker warned that failure to comply would attract legal action.
According to the MP, contractors who failed to complete projects within the stipulated period would also be blacklisted from any future projects.
"I want to warn contractors, especially those yet to finish projects," Kaunya said. Within the next 14 days, these projects need to be completed. If we keep having mercy on them, the children keep suffering."
The MP further expressed frustration over the delays, which he says have stalled infrastructural projects in the county. He singled out some school projects, which he claims remain unfinished despite funds being readily available.
Kaunya noted one particular Ksh2.2 million project for the construction of classrooms, which is yet to be finalised.
He went on, "That money is sitting idle, and instead, we end up purchasing supplies from expensive and rogue suppliers."
The lawmaker further cautioned school principals, whom he appeared to suggest had a tendency to collude with rogue contractors. Kaunya emphasised that the school has found that facilitating mismanagement of funds would also be held accountable.
In recent months, Teso North has come under scrutiny, particularly over pupils' learning conditions. In 2024, Kolanya Boys Primary came under criticism after it emerged that learners had to convert the store into a classroom.
At the time, it was reported that the school was in dire condition with huge cracks emerging in classroom walls, posing a health hazard to learners.
Interestingly, further reports suggested that parents of Grade 6, 7 and 8 students were forced to buy facilities like chairs and desks, begging the question of what happens to the NG-CDF received by the county.
Other schools in the constituency have also reported an acute shortage of classrooms, with extreme cases seeing pupils take their classes from outside.
