Construction of the Sh23.8 million Masii Digital Hub and Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Mwala Sub-County is 85 per cent complete and on track for completion by the end of September 2026.
The status was disclosed during an inspection tour by the Machakos County Development Technical Committee led by Mwala Deputy County Commissioner David Tegutwa.
The project, which broke ground in February 2025, is being implemented by Konza Technopolis in partnership with the ICT Authority, where Abdulaziz Buro is the Project Engineer.
According to Eng. Buro, the facility will host community and professional activities, featuring a Baraza Hall for artists, boardrooms and modern administration offices.
“The project is currently 85 percent complete and we expect to finish the remaining works by the end of September,” Buro said.
The project is now past the plastering stage, with focus shifting to final finishes.
Like many major projects, it has faced headwinds. Delayed disbursement of funds slowed down the pace of works, while a shortage of skilled masons, steel fixers and carpenters affected reinforcement and formwork erection as well as different weather conditions.
To mitigate this, the contractor sourced skilled labour from neighbouring towns, intensified on-site training and supervision, and introduced retention incentives to boost productivity.
Heavy rains also disrupted works, forcing several days of suspension. The downpour delayed concrete pouring and curing, and rendered access roads muddy, hampering movement of machinery and materials.
The contractor has since installed temporary drainage systems, deployed water pumps to de-water excavations, covered work areas with tarpaulins, and rescheduled critical activities to coincide with dry weather windows based on forecasts.
Despite the challenges, Buro lauded the local community for their support, noting they have provided a conducive environment for implementation.
He said the project team has enhanced monitoring and planning to ensure timely delivery within set quality standards.
Additionally, Mwala DCC Tergut emphasized the need to fast-track development projects in the county, noting that they are intended to benefit mwananchi and create employment opportunities for the youth.
He added that the County Development Implementation Coordination Committee will conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure the projects are completed and ready for handover to the community.
By Alex Mulili and Anne Kangero
