Contractors doing shoddy work will be blacklisted, risk prosecution, warns Kaunya

Contractors must perform to specifications or they will be blacklisted and possibly prosecuted for substandard work, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has warned.

The legislator issued the warning on Saturday in a media interview.

He cited a recent botched job by a company contracted by the National Government-CDF to build an ablution block at a local school. Work was substandard and the structure collapsed shortly after completion.

 “In all projects we’ve been doing in this constituency, we have emphasised the need for contractors to do quality work,” the MP said.

“I warn contractors who habitually do shoddy work that as we start the financial year, if they are given the work, they should make sure they do the right work as specified in the Bill of Quantities and contract documents.”

But at some point, we may also consider prosecuting contractors for low-quality work as Kenyans deserve quality work and value for money,”

Kaunya, who was reelected for a second term during the August 2022 general election, said government has been firm, consistently calling on contractors to undertake quality construction.

The ODM lawmaker made the remarks one week after President William Ruto expelled two contractors working on two roads in Western Kenya as they failed to meet project specifications.

The head of state spoke in Emuhaya, Vihiga county, during a development tour on August 29. He said the government will not tolerate contractors profiteering from state-funded projects as a result of slapdash work.

He said Kenyans deserve better services for the taxes they pay.

Kaunya, who spoke to the press in his office, said multiple projects are expected to uplift livelihoods in Teso North. Those funded by the NG-CDF will soon be rolled out in the constituency.

“Any contractor who does not perform to the expectations will be letting down the community,” Kaunya said.

“Doing second-rate work also amounts to letting down the government. We will, in the coming days, be able to blacklist such contractors so they are not given any more job in future.”

EXPECTED FLOODS

The MP cautioned Teso North residents to remain vigilant as rains continue to increase and expectations of flooding are high.

 “We know some parts of Teso North and Busia at large experience floods whenever heavy rains fall and floods cause huge destruction,” Kaunya said.

 “I caution residents of Teso North, particularly those living near rivers and lowlands, to remain vigilant when El Nino rains increase.

“Already we have been warned because we recently experienced rain and heavy winds in Ang’urai North ward, which caused a lot of destruction. This means already we have a problem to battle.”

The heavy winds that swept across Ang’urai destroyed at least 60 houses, leaving approximately 400 people in the cold.

The winds also blew off roofs at Kakurikit and Katotoi primary schools.

Some of the areas in Teso North that experience flooding include Apokor in Ang’urai North ward, Amoni and Akiriamas.