A technical training institute under construction in West Pokot County collapses. Photo/CourtesyA technical training institute building under construction in West Pokot County has collapsedThe one-storey structure that was reportedly funded by the national government to the tune of Ksh100 million crumbled down moments after the workers had finished installing the slab before installing the roofing.
Residents of Prikwo Village said that the contractor compromised the project by using improvised methods of getting the job done.
The National Constructions Authority (NCA) is said to have ordered the contractor to stop the work over poor workmanship, but the contractor grossly ignored the directives.
The project that has been at the centre of controversy between area MP David Pkosing and Senator John Lonyangapuo over its location was scheduled for completion within 52 weeks but has dragged on for the past last two years.
John Tulel, a resident of the area, narrated his amusement at the sight of men excavating the rocky ground to lay foundation instead of using excavators.
“From the beginning of this project we sensed there was a problem. How can you engage men with hoes to prepare the ground for a storey building? There was poor workmanship in this construction site and his is why NCA was petitioned to stop the project,” said Tulel.
Hundreds of residents flocked at the site of the collapsed structure demanding the arrest of the contractor for the shoddy work.
“We had raised concern over the stability of the building and we were happy that the NCA stopped the construction but the contractor went ahead with the work despite being ordered to halt the project. We want the contractor to be held responsible because this is our money wasted,” said Tulel.