MP Kaunya ultimatum to NG-CDF rogue contractors

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has issued a 14-day ultimatum to contractors handling stalled and substandard projects in the constituency, or they will face legal action.

The MP expressed frustration over inefficiency, poor workmanship, and disregard for timelines by contractors of government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) projects.

Speaking after commissioning a Sh3.5 million school library at Moding High School, Kaunya said contractors who fail to meet the deadlines will be sued for violating contractual terms.

He said such contractors could be blacklisted from future government projects.

“We are not going to allow a situation where the government has made payments, and yet the contractors cannot meet their obligations in terms of delivery within the stipulated timelines. Those types of contractors will be blacklisted and barred from taking up government projects in the future,” said Kaunya.

The MP said the NG-CDF office in Teso North implemented over 50 infrastructure projects this financial year, including the construction of classrooms, libraries, toilets, and laboratories.

However, only five classrooms were found ready for use, despite most schools having received the funding months earlier.

The crackdown comes amid a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) launched by the constituency to fast-track school infrastructure development ahead of the rollout of Grade 10 pathways under the new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) early next year.

At the same event, Kaunya took issue with parents who default on school fees, saying this contributes to financial strain in schools and hinders effective learning.

He singled out Moding High School, where fee arrears have hit Sh7.5 million, saying that expecting academic excellence without financial support is unrealistic.

“As much as we parents want results, it’s irresponsible to abandon our responsibilities. How do you expect a school like this to run with fee arrears of over Sh7 million?” he posed.

He challenged parents to step up and support school operations by settling pending dues and participating in development programmes. 

“This is a government program funded by taxpayers. Anyone trying to sabotage it, whether through delays or collusion, will face the full force of the law,” he stated.

Kaunya’s sentiments were echoed by ACK Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude, who urged communities to monitor school projects and hold administrators accountable to prevent misuse of public funds.

On his part, Busia County, Kenya, Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary-General Moffart Okisai called on teachers to rise above excuses and champion academic excellence despite the challenges.

“As teachers, we must make the best use of the resources we have to mould these learners into the products we want them to be. Let us refrain from the fear of competing with other counties for quality grades,” he said.