Deputy Governor of Kisumu Ochieng Owili, January 12, 2018. [Photo|Eddy Illah]
''The Deputy Governor of the Great County of Kisumu. Ochieng OwiliPRESS STATEMENT.January 12, 2018
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Fourth Estate, Welcome to this short briefing of the obtaining status of the French funded Kisumu Urban Project.I am really excited that the people of Kisumu now have an opportunity to start enjoying the fruits of this grant that was graciously extended to Kisumu and which is a credit from the French Government to the Government of Kenya.Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to refresh just a little bit about what projects are covered under KUP before I delve into the current status of the same.KUP envisages to undertake; constructions of 5 model schools, 5 bitumen standard roads, 3 gravel roads, 3 markets, 28 floodlights, 1 health Centre, 1 social centre, 3 Bio Centres, the Local Detailed plan of the City and capacity building, all totalling to 40m Euros inclusive of management costs.So far, the floodlights have been erected, the schools almost complete and awaiting handover, the bio centres complete and the bitumen roads at different stages of implementation.At this point ladies and gentlemen, allow me to brief you on the procurement process as set out in the KUP regulations.These are international projects that are strictly governed by internal procurement regulations as signed between the donor communities and the local governments, in our case the Republic of Kenya.The situation obtaining for the bitumen roads is therefore thus;1. On November the 8th 2016, KUP presented tender documents for the 5 lots of bitumen roads to AFD for approval, a process that is known as “No Objection”. 2. This was granted and led to the placement of adverts in the Daily Nation, the County website and the Digital Markets – which is a platform for posting of all international tenders and is a mandatory requirement for all KUP projects - on Tuesday the 15th 2016, with the closing date indicated as December the 14th 2016.3. This culminated to the opening of bids as received on that very day the 14th of December 2016.The roads tendered for were;1. Nairobi Road – Nyamasaria – Sije Road2. Kaloleni Estate Roads3. Impala – Nanga – Dunga Road4. Car Wash – Sije Road and 5. Family Planning Naselica ring road.For specificity and in the case of Nrb Rd – Nyamasaria – Sije Rd, that I launched yesterday and that was designed by OtienoOdongo Associates –who I want to appreciate immensely for having walked very closely with LIP since inception, only three bids were received, from Pepeta Holdings of Nairobi, Ascoda General Contractors Ltd of Nairobi and Tosha Construction Engineering Ltd also of Nairobi.The three firms were evaluated on their technical grounding from the 29th of December 2016 to the 4th of January 2017.
One firm, Pepeta was knocked out at this stage for technical non-responsiveness with the remaining other two proceeding to the financial evaluation where Ascoda with a bid of Kshs 99,489,639 emerged the winner.
A notification of Award thereby followed on the 2nd of May 2017.As a government, we shall endeavour to have the KUP projects delivered within the envisaged timelines and will at all times proffer the necessary support, oversight and supervision to the engaged firms.
However, it is instructive to note that in our manifesto, we promised to encourage and empower local entities in building their capacities and local firms must therefore given prominence at the evaluation processes.
This must also be done within the confines of the obtaining laws such as the PPAD Act, 2015 and the PFM Act, 2012.I am mightily encouraged by local firms that have so far participated and won tenders under KUP programme and are doing awesome jobs.I would not be shy to mention firms such as Comacon Construction Comany Ltd that is constructing Rweya Primary School, Polish Contractors Company Ltd doing Thim Bonde Primary School and Gumba contractors working on Got Nyabondo primary School. The Governor had a chance to tour and inspect their projects and was pleasantly impressed, not to mention that they are within the expected delivery times and will be handing over the Schools as soon as the Governor returns to the Country. But I would also like to send out a word of caution to those local companies that won some of the tenders and have had serious challenges with delivery and quality. This will definitely contribute to lowering your ratings should your names be forwarded to the National Construction Authority and other oversight bodies.Let me proffer a word of advice and encouragement to the firms who might have felt that the bar is set quite high with regard to some of these projects. The way to go is consortium bids. We must leverage on the deferent strengths that we have to help move as one big entity. This will go along way in laying the ground for the much needed capacity.We shall as a government, going forward, engage with AFD with a view to finding ways of increasing the chances of our local firms as we also feel strongly that the locals should and must also benefit from what is being implemented within our domains.Finally, our administration shall stand by KUP projects in whatever stages they are in to ensure that projects are delivered within the expected timelines and that funds are expensed excite positive impact on the livelihoods of the people of the great County of Kisumu.Thank you and God Bless Kisumu."