Extra Sh1bn needed to complete exam council house

It will cost taxpayers an additional Sh1.1 billion to complete the stalled Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) headquarters, which has been under construction for the past 30 years, Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has said.

Dr Matiang’i said the Sh420 million allocated to the council this financial year for the project is not sufficient.

“We are in consultation with other government institutions and the National Treasury so that we get money to complete this project,” he said when he toured the site in South C, Nairobi, on Friday.

The project was estimated to cost Sh248.93 million when it was started but it has since consumed more than Sh3 billion.

The Cabinet Secretary said the government is satisfied with the progress, despite the fact that out of six floors, only one is complete and occupied.

He said the government is committed to strengthen the council in terms of supporting its operations.

“The council has had the challenge of its offices being spread in different buildings in Nairobi. We want to complete the headquarters so that they can operate from one central place,” said Dr Matiang’i.

The council is housed at different premises, including National Bank, National Housing Corporation, Industrial Area, South C and Caledonia on Denis Pritt Road, Nairobi. This compromises the operations of the council.

Last December, council board Chairman Kibiru Kinyanjui asked the government to release more funds for the project.

“Funds are still needed to complete one of the three Towers so that all our staff can move in and comfortably operate from there. Adequate funding of the New Mitihani House remains our persistent headache,” he said.

Dr Matiang'i was accompanied by Education PS Bellio Kipsang and other senior ministry officials.