The National Assembly team has rained concerns over the stalled Sh1.4 billion Kisumu International Convention Centre.
The contractor is demanding Sh300 million to resume work at the 6,000-seater facility expected to be Kenya's largest conference centre.
The centre, which was to be second one of its kind in the country after Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, was set to revolutionise conference tourism in the lake region.
Launched in July 2021, it was to comprise the main auditorium, 15 breakaway rooms, 60 exhibition spaces, outdoor amphitheatre, VIP lounge, cultural centre, health and fitness centre, press rooms, picnic area and a children's park.
However, the project being implemented jointly by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, State Department for Devolution and the Kisumu government, is yet to be completed due to lack of funds.
At the weekend, the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Regional Development inspected the project, raising concerns over its current status.
Public Works representative Peninah Mwangi told the committee the contract for works was signed on July 16, 2021, and was expected to be completed and handed over in 38 weeks, but was reviewed and extended to 73 weeks ending December 2022.
She said a section of the project, which was being done by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development comprising the plenary and VIP lounge, was ongoing.
Mwangi said the auxiliary works, including the perimeter wall which was supposed to be done by the county government of Kisumu, has not taken off.
Also, the works on the main auditorium, which was being undertaken by the State Department for Devolution had stalled.
"Currently the contractor not on site, is demanding Sh300 million from the State Department for Devolution to resume work," Mwangi said.
The committee, led by vice chairperson Mary Wamaua, said it was unfortunate the project had stalled after gobbling millions of taxpayers money.
She said the project's benefits are immense and steps must be taken to have the contractor back on site.
"The government is likely to lose more money in contract variations if urgent steps are not taken to have the contractor back on site," Wamaua said.
The vice chairperson said they must look for funds to pay the contractor so he can resume works as the government looks for money to complete the project.
"Even if the section of the building under the State Department for Housing is completed, the facility cannot function as envisaged".
Wamaua said they will summon the Devolution Principal Secretary to give a way forward on the matter.
She challenged the county government of Kisumu to play its part by channelling funds to complete auxiliary works at the site.
