MPs seeks EACC, DCI investigation into mismanaged Sh373m university project
The legislators found the amphitheatre, whose construction started in June 2019 and was to be completed by December 2020, abandoned and in a state of stagnation.
A parliamentary committee has faulted the University of Eldoret for the stalled construction of its Sh373 million amphitheatre, citing mismanagement and procurement breaches that have left the project incomplete nearly five years after its planned completion.
The National Assembly Public Investment Committee (PIC) on Governance and Education, led by chairperson Wanami Wamboka, inspected the project on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
The legislators found the amphitheatre, whose construction started in June 2019 and was to be completed by December 2020, abandoned and in a state of stagnation.
During the visit, committee members accused the University of engaging in irregular financial practices that have led to losses after the main contractor terminated its services.
“This project was completely mismanaged by allowing a contract termination and then onboarding subcontractors; this has cost a lot of money, and the whole process is chaotic,” said Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje.
Vice Chancellor Thomas Kimeli Cheruiyot told the lawmakers that the contract collapsed due to funding constraints, prompting the University to hire subcontractors to undertake part of the work.
But the committee rejected this explanation, declaring the move unlawful.
“You’re confirming that you paid sub-contractors, despite having a running contract with the first who abandoned the site, making it illegal,” Wamboka said. “Since they all exist on the basis of the main contractor, making direct payments to them is an illegality.”
The MPs placed responsibility on the project manager from the Ministry of Public Works, accusing him of gross mismanagement and misleading the University.
“The project manager from the Ministry of Public Works has heavily mismanaged the project and continually misadvised the institution, thereby exposing it to losses,” Francis Sigei told the committee.
As a result, the committee resolved to recommend that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) take up the matter.
They want the project manager investigated and barred from holding any public office until the case is concluded.
“There was a breach of the Public Procurement Act Section 9 as well as Article 201 (d) of the Constitution,” Wamboka observed. “Money has been spent and lost; we will be making a proposal to the House for EACC and DCI to quickly investigate the institution and the prudence of the use of public funds.”
