KNEC Caught Flat-Footed as Ksh1.9B Project Stalls

Kenya National Examinations Council's (KNEC) challenges have compounded following a Ksh1.9 billion project that stalled for 35 years. 

A report by Nation on Thursday, March 17, indicated that KNEC is staring at Ksh44 million interest in the project that will be shouldered by taxpayers.

The project included the construction of Kenya National Examinations Council's (KNEC) headquarters.

It was launched in 1986 at a value of Ksh248 million but has suffered setbacks through the years and passed through the hands of five contractors.

Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) headquarters building that has stalled for 35 years.

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The red-flag was raised by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu. She noted that the national examiner risked being sued by one of the contractors, Ongata Works Ltd, over the interest.

"With the cancellation of the contract, management risks legal suits from the contractor," read the report in part.

She further revealed that the interest amount was as of March 2020 and reckoned that the current figure could be much higher.

The Auditor further disclosed that when they pressed the management over plans to complete the project, none of them seemed to have a concrete roadmap.

"No satisfactory reason was given by the management for the delay in payment of certificates resulting in these penalties and interest.

"The delays may lead to cost escalation and stakeholders may not get value for their resources," continued the statement.

So far, the building is estimated to be 59% complete and the contractor had already pocketed over Ksh921 million.

The cost at the time of awarding the contract stood at Ksh1.2 million.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu during a press conference in October 2020.

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