MPs outrage over collapsed Sh26million Kitale polytechnic workshop

Members of Parliament (MPs) have demanded answers over the collapse of a Sh26 million project at Kitale National Polytechnic, raising fresh concerns about accountability and oversight in the use of public funds.

The National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee (PIC) put the institution’s management on the spot after it emerged that the polytechnic had paid a contractor Sh26 million for the construction of an automotive engineering workshop block that later collapsed.

Lawmakers questioned how such a significant amount of public money could be spent on a project that failed to meet basic structural standards, with some MPs terming the incident a glaring example of negligence and possible financial mismanagement.

“This is unacceptable. How do you pay millions for a project that cannot stand?” one MP posed during the session, demanding a clear explanation from the institution’s leadership.

Another legislator pressed further, warning that those responsible must be held accountable. “We cannot continue to lose public funds through shoddy work and expect no consequences. Someone must take responsibility,” the MP said.

The committee heard that the collapsed structure was meant to support technical training at the institution, making its failure not only a financial loss but also a setback to education and skills development in the region.

Appearing before the committee, the institution’s principal, Dr Tom Mulati, faced tough questions over procurement procedures, contractor selection and quality assurance mechanisms. MPs expressed concern that due diligence may not have been followed before payments were made to the contractor.

“Were proper inspections conducted before payment was authorised?” another MP asked, as the committee sought to establish whether there was collusion or oversight failure.

Legislators also questioned the role of supervising engineers and relevant government agencies, noting that multiple checks should have prevented such an outcome.

“This points to a systemic failure — from procurement to supervision. We need to know who signed off on this project at every stage,” a committee member added.

The committee indicated that it would not hesitate to recommend punitive action, including surcharges or prosecutions, if evidence of wrongdoing is established.

The incident has reignited broader concerns over stalled and substandard public projects across the country, with MPs warning that weak oversight continues to expose taxpayers to massive losses.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing, with the committee expected to table its findings and recommendations before Parliament in the coming weeks.