Building of Othaya courts stalls for 4 years due to lack of funds

The building of the new law courts in Othaya has stalled for four years now due to lack of funds.

The construction work was to be done in three months, between March and May 2013.

According to documents seen by the Nation the contract was awarded to Economic Housing Group in 2013 at a cost of Sh81.5 million.

“There was a challenge in payments during the construction period and that is why we had to stop,” said Mr David Gatuna, the project manager.

He added that the plans to go back to the site were underway.

The construction began on March 11, 2013 and was due for completion in May 2013.

Delays in the completion of the courts have given a leeway to thieves who have already looted some of the building materials.

GUARDS NOT PAID

Court officials have written several letters to the Judiciary to complain about the abandonment of the construction work.

At the same time, some of the guards who are stationed at the site revealed that they have not been paid since 2015.

Currently, court proceedings are held in a precolonial building that can hardly accommodate more than 50 people.

The Othaya court has two magistrates, seven judicial staff with only one magistrate’s courtroom that serves four police stations.

As a result, the magistrates are forced to alternate duties with more than 16 hearings going on every day.

Inadequate space in the court, chambers and offices has been a challenge since the establishment of the court.

Other courts under construction that have stalled include Bomet, Marimanti and Wangu’ru, each of which was to cost of Sh81.6 million to build.