The construction of Sh350 million Ida Odinga Library Research and Resource Centre at Ogande Girls High School in Homa Bay town has stalled.
The project is said to have stalled after no major work has taken place at the site for more than eight months since its construction began.
Ogande Girls principal Jenifer Otolo says the construction stopped in August last year but expressed optimism the project will continue to its completion.
The project, which is funded through Ida Odinga Foundation and the national government, was expected to make Ogande Girls High School a centre of academic excellence.
Otolo said the site was visited by public works officials who assessed the level of construction.
“The project stakeholders are soon holding a meeting to discuss how the construction will continue to its completion. The project is significant on grounds that it will enhance academic excellence after ICT infrastructure is set up," Otolo said.
Parents and teachers association chairman Moses Nyambere said their discussion will include timelines of construction.
“The discussion will entail when exactly the construction will continue to its completion so that the project can serve its purpose,” Nyambere said.
Ida initiated the project to give her former secondary school a state-of-the-art library, research and innovation centre.
The budget for the project was more than Sh300 million. Funds were raised through the foundation.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and his counterpart from the Education Ministry the late George Magoha led other government officials in a groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the building in December 2020.
Magoha used to visit the site and see how the construction was progressing.
On Thursday, Homa Bay County Education Network chairman Julius Omuga raised concerns over the delayed completion of the project.
Omuga wants the national government to intervene so that the project can be completed and benefit Kenyans.
“It’s not good for such a multi-million project be started and left halfway. The project should not be a white elephant due to its significance,”Omuga said.
According to Omuga, the current government should swiftly move to ensure the project is implemented.
He argued that the project has stalled since no work is going on at the site more than eight months.
The education activist also called on all leaders in Homa Bay to step in and ensure the library and resource centre does not become a white elephant.
“Let politicians and education professionals look on ways of making the project is done, " Omuga said.
In the proposed project, the building will have a 500-student capacity library and other facilities for learning.
