Makueni: Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Khalif Abdulahi has called upon contractors awarded tenders to implement projects to ensure they complete the works within the specified period so as to avoid unnecessary extensions. Mr. Abdulahi made the call on Wednesday when he led the County Implementation and Coordination Management Committee (CICM) in monitoring several government projects in Makueni and Makindu Sub counties.
According to Kenya News Agency, among the projects visited included construction of Wote Pool Affordable Housing, revival of Stalled Wote Civil Servants Houses, and Wote Modern Market in Makueni Sub county and Makindu Affordable Housing, Makindu ESP Market, and Makindu Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Makindu sub county respectively. The call comes at a time when some projects like Affordable Housing in Wote town are behind schedule, and the contractor is seeking more time to complete the works, which is at 55.1 percent yet the works need to be completed by July 2026.
The affordable housing project is expected to have 8 residential blocks with 755 units constructed at a cost of over sh 2 billion, which is being delayed by the government’s failure to pay the contractor, Parklane Construction Limited. ‘We expect the projects being undertaken by various contractors to ensure they are completed as specified and construction works done as per specifications to ensure value of the taxpayers’ money,’ said Abdulahi during the monitoring of the projects on Wednesday. ‘I urge the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to hasten the payments of contractors so that the projects can be completed as expected,’ he added.
The works for the project commenced on 4th November 2024, and it was meant to be completed in 12 months. However, the contract duration was revised and scheduled to end by 9th July 2026. The contractor is awaiting payment of a total of over 898 million, an amount certified by the consultant through 7 Interim Payment Certificates (IPC). Also, the delays have been occasioned by the State Department of Housing in identifying Jua Kali Artisans to make the doors and windows and some specialists to make the lifts as per the contract requirement.
On the Stalled Wote Civil Servants Houses, the time elapsed was 34.62 percent at a completion rate of 25 percent. The works started on 26th January 2026 and were expected to end in January 2027. The works are being undertaken by Hashit Construction and General Supplies Limited at a cost of over sh 556 million.
In Makindu Affordable Housing, Net Gas Energy and Construction Limited is constructing 9 blocks with 900 units at a cost of over sh 2.1 billion. The works started on 24th 2025 and are expected to be completed by 24 November 2027. The time elapsed is 27.09 percent against work done of 9.86 percent. The delay has been occasioned by the State Department of Housing’s delay in paying the contractor. The contractor disclosed that the delay in excavation has been caused by the need to relocate a high mast light by the Housing department.
At the Makindu Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), the government has awarded Jopal Investment Limited the contract to construct hostels with a total of 580 units for students’ bed capacity. The project will cost over sh 220 million. The works started on 13/01/2026 and the completion date is 14/07/2027, with time elapsed at 30.55 percent against progress of 17.48 percent.
Concerning the Makindu ESP Market, the works were at 90 percent. However, the Housing Department was delaying the approval of the smart stall design and the payment of 3 interim payment certifications to the contractor. The works and quality works at the market were impressive as per the required specifications.
