Plan to determine polls petitions in Nakuru hit a snug

Ongoing construction of a building in Nakuru that will house several courtrooms. Construction was expected to be completed this month. PHOTO | JOSEPH OPENDA | NATIONMEDIAGROUP

What you need to know:

  • The ultra-modern building housing the new courts was expected to be complete by August 18, 2017.

Election petitions in Nakuru will not be heard in the new courts as earlier envisaged by Chief Justice David Maraga because the project has not been completed.

Construction consultant Britson Nyakundi had indicated that the project would be completed by August 18.

But this is not the case, with indication that the earliest completion date will be next year.

TIMEFRAME
Project manager Abdi Shakur Ibrahim told Nation in an interview that it will not be possible for the courts to be operational within the earlier timeframe.

He said construction works are still ongoing.

The mega structure will contain 12 courtrooms, 15 judge chambers, a library, cells for both males and females and a parking lot that would accommodate up to 16 vehicles.

When he visited Nakuru in January this year to inspect the project, Mr Maraga had indicated that the ultra-modern judicial building would house courts where matters relating to the August 8 polls would be heard and determined.

CAUSE

Now, the building is expected to be complete by March next year and will cost the government up to Sh340 million.

Mr Ibrahim said the delay was caused by structural changes initiated by the Judiciary.

"We have been granted a six-month extension to complete the construction.

"This is due to changes made each time by the client about how the rooms should be designed," he said in an interview with Nation