Senators have launched an inquiry to establish why a slaughterhouse in Isiolo County has been under construction for the last 18 years.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, who is seeking a statement from the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, noted that the Isiolo Export Abattoir was commissioned way back in 2006.
“Provide a report on the status of the completion as well as a financial analysis and any other information, outlining how much money has been spent, so far, whether there have been any budgetary variation, total variation and source of funds,” she said.
She further wants the committee to state whether private companies and strategic partners have been engaged in the completion of the project, whether it is a joint venture or otherwise.
Dullo said the committee should further explain how the strategic partners were identified, the scope of work, terms of engagement and how much each company has been paid and which firm is currently working on the project.
“Provide a socio-economic cost-benefit analysis to the residents of Isiolo County, neighbouring counties and the country as a whole, explaining whether public participation was conducted on the project as envisioned in the Constitution,” she said.
The senator further wants the committee to state whether there is an Expert Management Committee on the project, explaining its mandate, membership and criteria used in the selection of the members.
“Explain how the company that is allegedly equipping the abattoir was procured and how the process of handing over the expert investor company that is allegedly supposed to take over the management of the abattoir upon completion was arrived at, outlining the terms of engagement, scope of work and copies of any agreement or contracts in the process,” she said.
Dullo added that the House should also be told whether there has been any alteration to the original design of the abattoir, outlining any changes made and what necessitated the changes and table the title deed and any other information to prove ownership of the land upon which the slaughterhouse is constructed.
“Outline whether there is an existing framework of engagement between the national Government and the county government of Isiolo,” she said.
Dullo noted that the project was commissioned before the advent of devolution.
