Magoha Warns Heads Against Demanding Kickbacks from Contractors, Delaying Payments
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has warned officers in the ministry against demanding kickbacks or blocking payment of contractors who have completed construction of the Competent Based Curriculum classrooms. Magoha confirmed that there were some hinderances in payment of the contractors who had finished work even after the Government had released Sh3.2 billion to pay contractors who have completed work.
Speaking at Aluor Girl’s and Ramba Boy’s High schools in Siaya County where he assessed the building of CBC classrooms, the CS further warned heads that the payment process of those who had finished should not take more than three days once the correct papers are brought to the ministry.
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“If officials bring papers which are not correct, the ministry will start acting as from next week because we do not want rogues and crooks in our system. This is because there are very clear guidelines on what one has to do to ensure the papers are ready for payment,” said Magoha.
He added: “Can our offices ensure they double check the documents before bringing them to Jogoo House because this money does not have any percentage for anybody since it is all going to the vendor. Our President, Uhuru Kenyatta has ensured there is liquid money waiting to be used to pay those who have completed the classrooms.”
The CS asked officials in his ministry including the regional directors of education, regional commissioners and others that incase of any hitches they should consult him directly.
“I will swiftly ensure the roadblock is removed. This is because we are constructing these classrooms at Sh788,000 and the Sh200,000 or Sh300,000 profit is meant for the local contractor or vendor. There is no money for anybody else to eat, whether you are a public works officer or any official of the ministry,” said Magoha.
The government is rushing to beat the April deadline of building at least 11,000 classrooms to host the junior secondary school.
“I have commissioned 1,080 CBC classrooms that are completed. We expect to have completed half of the 11,000 classes before the April deadline,” he said.
The CS warned that school heads who will not pay contractors after handing over the CBC classrooms risk losing their jobs, saying all the monies have been wired to respective schools’ accounts.
He went on: “Cartels should stop frustrating the payment process. Any contractor who will be asked for money should come to my office and I will take action.”
