Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga is on the spot over the expenditure of Ksh1 billion in the construction of Githurai Market launched by President William Ruto on August 5.
Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Housing on Monday, August 28, the PS explained the increase in construction cost of the Ksh1 billion market was caused by adjustments done to the building's structure.
Specifically, Hinga detailed that the design of the five-storey building was altered to offer better functionality to the traders with the improvement of installations.
According to documents shared by Parliament, the building was to cost Ksh827.170 million, however, the government ended up spending Ksh1.026 billion.
Hinga also detailed that the increase in expenditure was aimed at making the market more visually appealing.
"As the project progressed, there were adjustments to the scope of work and design changes that necessitated a cost review, leading to the contract sum of Kshs.1.026 billion,"
"The project site was a market with nearly 11,000 traders. Our officers encountered challenges in conducting site visits as expected of them due to the hostile environment," he explained.
Despite the explanation, the Committee led by Johana Ngeno directed the PS to submit the initial design of the market and other documentation of the building for review.
It was explained that the inflation of the market was alarming given that the government intended to undertake over 50 other markets across the country.
"We are concerned that their costs may also be inflated. What justified the review of the costs?" the chairperson posed.
Construction of Githurai Market commenced in 2019 following a directive issued by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The market was launched by Ruto on August 16 during his tour of the Mt Kenya region. Some of the improved features in the market include 12 Wi-Fi hotspots aimed at boosting digital trade
