The construction of the Kaimosi Friends University library has stalled since 2022, despite the government injecting more than Sh25 million this year to revive and speed up the project.
The stalled project, which was initially allocated over 645 million currently stands at 63 per cent completion.
Originally set for completion in February 2023, the project deadline was revised to November 2024 and has again been pushed further to August 2025.
The University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat, confirmed that though the government has disbursed more funds this year, the contractor is yet to raise a certificate of payment.
“The contractor has been called for several meetings but has always failed to respond,” he said.
Concerns about the sluggish pace were echoed by Acting Vihiga County Commissioner Florence Sitawa, who led a site inspection visit with the County Implementation and Management Committee.
“If the project cannot be completed, then the government cannot continue pumping in money,” Sitawa warned, urging for visible improvements in the coming weeks.
The contractor, who is reportedly out of the country in Saudi Arabia, has not communicated his commitment to resume works at the site.
The university fraternity and local leaders are now calling for swift action to ensure the vital learning facility is completed in time so as to serve the students and the wider academic community.
By Rose Wasike
