Affordable housing contractors who are delaying work have been put on notice as the State Department for Housing and Urban Development intensifies monitoring of projects across the country to ensure timely delivery.
Speaking during an inspection tour of projects in Tharaka Nithi County, Secretary of Administration in charge of the Affordable Housing Programme in the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Pius Mugambi, said the department has embarked on an aggressive monitoring and evaluation exercise aimed at fast-tracking ongoing projects in the Eastern Region.
Mugambi, who led a monitoring and evaluation team from the State Department, said the current year is focused on project delivery and completion.
“We have affordable housing, institutional housing, and market projects across the country, and this is a delivery year. We are fast-tracking the progress of all projects to ensure they are completed within the scheduled timelines,” he said.
He noted that the inspection exercise was also intended to identify challenges facing consultants and contractors that could slow implementation of the projects.
Among the key challenges highlighted were heavy rains that have disrupted construction schedules in some areas, cash flow constraints affecting some projects, and laxity among contractors, with some sites not adequately mobilized in terms of labour and construction materials.
“Some contractors are not well mobilized in terms of labour and materials. We are putting them on strict timelines so that they can deliver projects on schedule,” Mugambi said.
He added that most market projects under implementation were nearing completion, with several already above 80 per cent complete.
During the tour, Mugambi inspected the Chuka Affordable Housing Project, Muraga TVC Affordable Housing Project, Chogoria ESP Market, and the Majira Affordable Housing Project.
The Chuka ESP Market has already been completed and commissioned.
The Chogoria Market Project is at 92 per cent completion, while the Chuka Affordable Housing Project stands at 33 per cent and the Muraga TVC Project at 14 per cent.
Mugambi praised the contractor handling the Muraga TVC project, saying the works were progressing well.
He further directed contractors to increase labour mobilization to create more employment opportunities for local residents and accelerate completion of the projects.
“We want contractors to mobilise more workers and materials so that members of the community can benefit through employment opportunities,” he said.
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga expressed concern over delayed projects, saying some contractors had failed to meet expectations despite being allocated sites last year.
“We are not impressed by some contractors. Others are doing very well, but there are those who are lagging behind. The most worrying is the Majira Affordable Housing Project, where nothing substantial has been done since the site was handed over in November last year, apart from a mabati perimeter wall,” said Gitonga.
He warned that non-performing contractors risk being replaced if they fail to accelerate implementation.
“If a contractor cannot deliver, they should give way to those ready to work,” he said.
Gitonga revealed that sub-county development committees led by deputy county commissioners have been directed to closely monitor progress and submit weekly implementation reports.
“We will be getting weekly reports and reviews on the progress of the work to ensure contractors deliver within the agreed timelines,” he added.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
