A Sh23 million market construction project at Mosobeti has been put on a halt after Bosamaro MCA Bonface Ombori stormed the site with hundreds of area residents on Sunday, accusing the county government of bias in awarding of the tender.
The contract was awarded to one Mr Kepha Nyagarama, a son to the incumbent area Governor John Nyagarama thus the rebellion from the area residents.
Mr Ombori faulted the county leadership for ‘flouting tendering rules’ and accused it of exaggerating the figure for selfish gains.
“I am not opposed to development projects like this but the law ought to be followed at all costs. The tendering rules were faulted because the tender was advertised. The figure is also an exaggeration and this is unacceptable. We have seen first class markets build at a cheaper cost than what the county is trying to do,” he said.
He warned the contractor against visiting the site and demanded to know why he was excavating murrum from a public land yet he was a private contractor.
“The contractor should stay away from the site till we iron out the issue. He is a private contractor and I wonder why he is using murrum for the work from a public land. Those as some of the issues we want addressed,” he added.
Mr Ombori accused the county governor of nepotism in awarding of tenders and ordered that the contract to be given to locals.
“As locals, we have people who can do this work. Going to an extent of awarding your own son is an indication of how rotten our county leadership is. That must change,” he said.
The contractor however dismissed the allegations and insisted that he won the tender in a free and fair process.
“I was shortlisted and won the tender. I don’t know what advertisement they were waiting for yet this was advertised in local dailies. The fact that I am the son to governor does not make me a lesser citizen,” said Kebaso during a telephone interview.