Knec building project started three decades ago hits Sh3.6bn

The cost of completing the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) building that has been under construction for the past three decades has increased 15 times to Sh3.6 billion.

Auditor-General Edward Ouko says the New Mitihani House requires an additional Sh1.7 billion to complete even after taxpayers spent Sh1.9 billion on the project.

Mr Ouko said the initial budget for the project that was started in 1986 was Sh248,925,596. He criticised the Ministry of Education for failing to complete the 29-year-old project.

“It appears the ministry is not desirous to complete the project and as a result, the project will continue incurring additional costs. The current total cost of the projects stands at Sh1,889,925,596 as at June 30, 2016 compared to the initial budgeted cost of Sh248,925,596 in the year 1986,” he said in a qualified audit opinion of the books of accounts of the Knec.

READ: MPs summon ministers over Knec building that has stalled for 27 years

Mr Ouko said even though Sh420 million was allocated for the project in the year to June 2016, only Sh320 million was remitted to the council examinations.

He said estimates for the financial year 2016/17 indicates that the project, located at Nairobi’s South C estate, was allocated Sh60 million under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

“This amount is, however, not adequate to complete the project as estimated by the engineer’s valuation of Sh1,685,281,385 to complete,” said Mr Ouko in a report tabled in Parliament by Leader of Majority Aden Duale.