A Nyeri contractor is seeking Sh15 million from the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri for allegedly breaching a construction deal during the beatification of Sister Irene Nyaatha last year.
However, the church in its counter claims is demanding to be refunded Sh7.4 million, saying the contractor abandoned the project.
In papers filed in court on Wednesday, John Kariuki says he was contracted through his company Pakana Enterprises to renovate Bishop Kirima Hostels.
He was to convert them into self-contained units for visitors from Italy ahead of the beatification on May 23 last year.
“The conversion was for 50 units into modern conference unit at a cost of Sh124,000 per unit, totalling Sh6.2 million,” Kariuki says.
He says the two parties negotiated for additional work,including procuring materials, reconstruction and conversion of an additional 40 units, amounting to Sh13.1million.
Kariuki says he carried out the work to the proper standards.
However, the church accuses the company of abandoning the work on May 1 last year without notice, after it was asked to provide construction certificates.
“He misrepresented himself as being authorised to do engineering and construction work,” lawyer Charles Karweru for the church said.
Justice John Mativo set the hearing for March 10.
