More than 1,900 contractors who took part in the construction of 10,000 CBC classrooms during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime will be paid by June, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu has said.
Machogu told MPs that the 1,907 contractors will receive their dues before the next financial year.
“Before the end of the financial year, it will be a priority area. Our contractors we are sorry because you all know the economy has been tough and we are trying to overcome challenges,” Machogu said.
In 2021, Uhuru directed the construction of 10,000 classrooms for CBC to the tune of Sh8 billion.
The classrooms were built at a cost of Sh788,000 from the initial estimate of Sh1.2 million.
Education committee chairman Julius Melly inquired about what steps Machogu has taken to fasten the release of payments.
“Maybe within this financial year what were you doing to ensure they are paid because the contractors' impact will help the economy,” Melly paused.
Machogu explained that despite the country facing tough economic times, the ministry has prioritised the payment of contractors.
“It is a priority issue for us so the Sh2.5 billion will be paid before the end of this financial year that is June 2023,” he said.
By end of July 2022, former Education CS George Magoha acknowledged that the 10,000 classrooms had been constructed.
The project had two phases- first phase saw the construction of 6,500 structures and the remaining 3,500 in the second phase.
