The National Assembly Tourism and Wildlife Committee has raised concerns over the delayed payment of at least Ksh600 million owed to the 14 local contractors who renovated the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
Mercy Meria led the contractors in presenting their submission to the Committee, chaired by Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, at Bunge Towers on May 21, 2024.
Meria said they were subcontracted by a Chinese identified as Wu Yi to do the facelift of the iconic building adding that delay in payment had subjected them to untold suffering.
“We were only paid 17 per cent of what was due to us by the Chinese company. We are having sleepless nights because auctioneers keep knocking on our doors, “the contractors told the Committee.
The Committee stopped payment to the Chinese company and said it will invite the Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and the managers of the Chinese Company for clarity on the matter.
“The Committee has stopped any payment to the Chinese firm until the matter is settled amicably. I want to assure the contractors that the Committee will prosecute the matter with all fairness,” said the Committee chairperson.
MPs Approve Contractors’ Plea
According to the MPs, the local contractors had tabled genuine grievances which the Committee will seriously address.
“The Committee is concerned that despite the contractors delivering their work before the International Summit they have not been paid all their dues,” said Mbiuki.
Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai said the Committee will not allow the Chinese company to use its financial muscles to frustrate the local contractors.
“The work the local contractors have done is seen and I wonder why some people somewhere are holding onto their money,” said Mutai.
Also Read: Meet the Kenyan Man Who Designed KICC
KICC Total Renovation Cost Queries
Besides, the Committee questioned disparities in the total cost of the renovations of KICC.
This is after one party put the cost at Ksh1.9 billion while the other at more than Ksh3.19 billion.
“The House appropriated Ksh1.9 billion for the renovations but another figure of Ksh3.19 billion by the Chinese firm has been tabled before us,” said Mbiuki.
Also Read: Interior Ministry Announces Protocol Changes for Accessing KICC
The renovation works were undertaken in 2023 ahead of the Africa Climate Change Summit that brought together several Heads of State and other delegates.
“The Committee is concerned that despite the contractors delivering their work before the International Summit they have not been paid all their dues,” added the chairperson.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
