The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has given Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai 30 days to occupy the long-delayed county headquarters and official residence, a project that has taken 11 years and cost taxpayers over Sh740 million.
The directive was issued on Monday during a tense session between the Senate committee, the governor, and the project contractor, where senators demanded answers for the delay and questioned inconsistencies in the budget.
“Governor, the contractor has indicated readiness to hand over. You must occupy the premises within the next 30 days,” the committee said.
Committee chair Mohamed Abass Sheikh, who is also Wajir Senator, led the session, which saw senators express anger over the stalled project.
“This project began in 2014. You may not have been in office then, but your government exists in perpetuity,” Catherine Mumma, the committee’s vice chair, told the governor.
“We’ve been here too long. If the project is complete, then what’s stopping you from handing it over?” he said.
Governor Lomorukai acknowledged the long delays but blamed early challenges in devolution and weak coordination with the national government.
“The building is more than 90 per cent complete. What remains is an electricity connection, carpet installation in two offices, and a few other final touches,” he said. He added that only Sh24 million is pending under procurement laws.
He also noted that Turkana funded the project without the Sh500 million support that other counties got.
“We didn’t receive the Sh500 million that other counties got from the national government for their headquarters. Turkana funded this entirely on its own,” the Governor said.
The contractor, Landmark Holdings Limited, said delays were caused by late payments and work left undone by specialist subcontractors.
“We completed the structural work by 2019, and by 2022, we had finished almost everything,” a representative said.
“But the subcontractors appointed by the client delayed their work. The building still lacks electricity and water. That’s not our responsibility.”
The contractor said they were ready to hand over “even tomorrow” but noted that unsettled claims and the absence of a consultant had stalled the process.
“We’ve submitted all the necessary claims, but there’s no consultant in place to finalise them. That has stalled everything,” said the contractor’s representative.
Senator Kamar questioned the lack of plumbing and electrical testing, while Mumma warned However, that no payment beyond the legal 25 per cent variation would be accepted. “How do you expect us to accept this handover when basic systems haven’t been tested?” Kamar asked.
Senator Mohammed summed up the committee’s frustration. “We cannot keep going in circles. The people of Turkana deserve better. This is about accountability,” he said.
In its recommendations, the committee ordered the governor to move into the facility within 30 days, insisted that only the pending Sh24 million within the legal limit be paid, and demanded completion of all remaining works.
They warned that further delay would trigger Senate escalation.
“The building is beautiful, but it’s starting to deteriorate without being used,” said Onyonka. “Air conditioners have been idle for years, tiles are falling off, and dust is everywhere. This is a waste of public resources.” Senators Peris Tobiko and Hezena Lemaletian also attended the session.
Courtesy
