MPs demand probe into Sh373m stalled amphitheatre project at University of Eldoret
The committee resolved to recommend to the National Assembly that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) be brought in to probe the matter.
The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has demanded investigations into the management of the University of Eldoret. The MPs pointed out the alleged financial misappropriation in the stalled Sh373 million amphitheatre project, warning that officials could face prosecution if found culpable.
The committee, chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, inspected the facility during an oversight visit on Tuesday.
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Construction of the amphitheatre began on June 10, 2019, and was meant to be completed by December 14, 2020, but it has since stalled.
The MPs said the project has suffered from poor decisions that have resulted in losses after the main contractor abandoned the site.
“This project was completely mismanaged by allowing a contract termination and then onboarding subcontractors; this has cost a lot of money, and the whole process is chaotic,” said Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje.
An incomplete amphitheater at the University of Eldoret. (National Assembly)
Vice Chancellor Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot told the committee the University resorted to subcontractors after the collapse of the main contract due to funding challenges. But MPs said this was irregular and contrary to procurement laws.
“You’re confirming that you paid subcontractors, despite having a running contract with the first who abandoned the site, making it illegal,” Wamboka stated.
“Since they all exist on the basis of the main contractor, making direct payments to them is illegal,” he added.
The legislators said the project manager from the Ministry of Public Works bears direct responsibility for the losses.
“The project manager from the Ministry of Public Works has heavily mismanaged the project and continually misadvised the institution, thereby exposing it to losses,” said Francis Sigei.
The committee resolved to recommend to the National Assembly that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) be brought in to probe the matter.
It further proposed that the project manager be barred from holding any public office until the investigations are concluded.
“There was a breach of the Public Procurement Act Section 9 as well as Article 201 (d) of the Constitution,” Wamboka noted. “Money has been spent and lost; we will be making a proposal to the House for EACC and DCI to quickly investigate the institution and the prudence of the use of public funds.”
MPs said procedures were ignored, and some payments were made without proper contracts, exposing both the institution and the government to financial improprieties.
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