The Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works conducted an inspection visit of Shimo la Tewa Housing Project on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 where it noted notable progress.

While inspecting the Project, the Committee led by Hon. Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikiir) observed that the project was 95 per cent complete and that the recommendations made by the Committee a year ago had been implemented.

“The Committee was here a year ago, it engaged the State Department for a solution and now we see a significant difference. The corrections have been done and we have affirmed that the tax payers’ money has been put to good use,” Hon. Ngeno said.

However, Hon. Ngeno challenged the Permanent Secretary for the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Charles Hinga to ensure due diligence in identifying contractors to undertake the State Department’s projects and edge out those who had undertaken the collapsed buildings’ projects and those whose projects had stalled.

In addition, the lawmakers underscored the importance of carrying out public participation on projects with a huge impact on the Kenyans.

The Committee also stressed the need for the State Department to streamline its procurement process so as to ensure a win-win situation with contractors receiving timely payments, for timely and proper completion of projects.

Further, Members urged the State Department to see to it that project managers take responsibility in relation to indemnity.

The Deputy Officer in charge of Shimo La Tewa Prisons, Mr. Eric Ochieng told legislators that the new houses shall enable Prison Officers to respond swiftly to emergencies as some will now reside from within the Prisons premises.