Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has warned contractors handling government projects against delays, poor workmanship and laxity, saying firms that fail to meet contractual obligations will be held accountable.
Lusaka singled out the contractor undertaking the Misikhu Modern Market project, raising concern over the slow pace of construction and directing the firm to accelerate work and complete the facility within the agreed timelines.
The governor spoke at Misikhu Market after inspecting the ongoing project alongside Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi and Senator David Wakoli. The facility was scheduled for completion by October 9.
He said delays in completing public projects were frustrating residents who were waiting to benefit from facilities intended to improve livelihoods and stimulate local economic activity.
We will not allow lazy contractors to derail projects because of incompetence and a slow pace of work execution,” Lusaka said.
Lusaka said the Misikhu Modern Market was expected to be completed within the stipulated project period, but noted that the pace of construction was below expectations.
He challenged the contractor to increase the pace of work and ensure the project was completed within the agreed deadline.
The governor said contractors had a responsibility to deliver projects on time and to the required standards, warning that unnecessary delays could undermine public confidence in development programmes.
“Contractors must shape up and match the investment with timely and quality project delivery,” he said.
Lusaka urged contractors undertaking projects across Bungoma County to adhere strictly to their contractual obligations, accelerate stalled works and ensure that completed facilities meet the required standards.
He said the public should not be left waiting for extended periods for projects that had already been commissioned and funded.
“The public is complaining about incomplete projects, but in many cases the problem is the contractor on site who is taking too long to complete the work,” he said.
Lusaka warned that contractors who continued to exhibit laxity, incompetence or unnecessary delays risked being deregistered for failing to deliver projects as agreed.
During the visit to Misikhu, the governor also presided over the official opening of Misikhu Police Station as the leaders also assessed development and security infrastructure in the area.
Webuye East MP Martin Wanyonyi said the new facility was an important addition to the area’s security infrastructure, bringing essential policing services closer to residents and strengthening the capacity to respond to matters of law and order.
“The commissioning reaffirms our collective commitment to enhancing security and creating a safe and conducive environment where families, businesses and communities can thrive,” Wanyonyi said.
On the delayed market project, Wanyonyi echoed the governor’s concerns on delays, saying the pace of work remained way behind the scheduled completion date of October 9.
Wanyonyi said the contractor had been put on notice to expedite the works, improve workmanship and ensure delivery within the agreed timelines and required standards.
“Our people deserve quality infrastructure delivered promptly, professionally and with value for money,” he said.
Bungoma Senator David Wakoli also urged the contractor to speed up the works, saying the project was already behind schedule.
He said completion of the market would also provide local residents with skilled and unskilled employment opportunities.
Wakoli called on Governor Lusaka, through the Department of Special Programmes, to facilitate the construction of toilets at the market, saying proper sanitation was essential for a clean, healthy and dignified trading environment.
by Chris Mahandara
