Lusaka orders crackdown on substandard ECDE projects

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has launched a crackdown on substandard Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) projects in the county, vowing not to pay contractors who do shoddy work.

Speaking during a tour of the projects in Bumula, Lusaka said payments will be withheld for substandard work.

He expressed outrage over the poor workmanship witnessed in some schools, which he said has left young learners exposed to unsafe and unhygienic conditions.

“I want to make it clear to contractors handling ECDE projects that shoddy work will not be tolerated,” Lusaka said.

“We give contractors money to construct classrooms but we are not paying for substandard work.”

The governor instructed County Executive Committee Members and Chief Officers to go round and identify substandard ECDE projects.

“Those who think they will get rich by constructing such structures should forget it.  I now ask the chief officers and CECMs to move round and inspect the classrooms, and where you find such problems, make sure it is corrected,” he stated.

The Governor reiterated his administration's commitment to improving ECDE, revealing plans to recruit additional teachers and develop a comprehensive scheme of service to ensure orderly promotions for educators.

He acknowledged delays in teacher recruitment due to budgetary constraints but assured residents that the issue had been resolved.

“This is the most critical part of a child’s development. If we do not take care of them at this critical moment, we will have problems,” he said.

Lusaka concurred with the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o move to stop counties from issuing bursaries.

Nyakang’o said any requisition for withdrawal of funds to perform functions under the National Government must be accompanied by intergovernmental agreement.

In the new directive, counties are only allowed to offer bursaries for pre-primary education, village polytechnics, homecraft centers, and childcare facilities.

 County governments have however questioned the move by the Nyakang'o to ban devolved units from administering bursary funds for post-nursery students.