The National Youth Service (NYS) is set to undertake the construction of US $3.2m Wote stadium in Makueni County, Kenya. This is after the government terminated the agreement it had with Nitram and Traphes Enterprise Limited to implement the project, citing incompetence in the implementation of the project.
According to Sports, Culture and Heritage Cabinet Secretary, Amina Mohammed, the government had the contractor on notice over incompetence. “We do not believe that the contractor has the capacity to deliver this project. We have followed the right procedure to terminate the project,” she said.
Also Read: Kenya seeking new contractor for Kamariny Stadium project in Elgeyo Marakwet
Work done so far
Construction of the stadium stalled shortly after its commissioning in 2017, mainly due to lack of funds but the Sports CS revived it seven months ago. Nitram and Traphes Enterprise Limited had already done part of the perimeter wall, part of the tracks and part of the arena. He had not started with the pavilion citing a change of the design of the component. The work done was estimated at 35%.
The contractor, however, protested the termination of the contract and blamed the delay on Sports Kenya. Mr Mark Muendo, a Nitram and Traphes Enterprise Limited Director, blamed the project consultant for delays in approving changes in the design of the pavilion. He also accused Sports Kenya of delaying approval of funds requested.
The CS however, dismissed Mr Muendo’s reasons as lame excuses and maintained that the government had played all its roles in facilitating the contractor to complete the project. If anything, the project was scheduled to be completed in 2018. We have already paid the contractor US $13m, he should refund the excess money,” she said.
