The completion of phase one of the proposed controversial Kenya Utalii College in Kilifi country requires Sh 1.9 billion.
Director of strategic and resource mobilization of the Tourism Fund Eden Odhiambo confirmed that phase one of the facility is expected to be unveiled before the August general elections but its completion is faced with lack of funds.
He insisted the proposed facility holds the contractor’s certificate which must be honoured as required by law together with the consultants who are supervising the project at the site.
“There will be additional requirement of Sh 2.1 billion for the completion of pending work despite the project being at 75 per cent complete,” he pointed out.
Odhiambo said initially the project had posted a Sh 410.5 million loss way back in 2013 with a lot things happening behind the scenes, including the cost of materials which has gone up.
He was briefing the media during a tour of the site in Kilifi south constituency in Kilifi county by tourism industry stakeholders from the coast region including those from hospitality sector.
The Tourism Fund officer said they expect the project to be completed in the next two years.
Odhiambo said the project started in 2010 after consultants came on board and started the design in 2011.
He told journalists the main contractor moved to the site in 2012 and begun the work in 2013.
“The college was supposed to run in 2018 with the expectation the project would take five years but this never happened due to lack of funds,” he added.
The Tourism Fund officer said they acknowledge the project is faced with a lot of challenges in the disbursement of funds for its completion from the national government.
Odhiambo said they are struggling to meet the deadline on the proposed project but the lack of funds has been the biggest hindrance.He added lack of funds has put the project in a dilemma before the first phase is completed.
“Lack of funds has been the biggest challenge and has contributed to the slow pace of the project which is already behind the stipulated time frame,” he pointed out.
The Tourism Fund officer told journalists they acknowledge a lot of issues rose during the fact finding tour of the facility for the first time by industry players.
Odhiambo said the industry players are concerned whether enrollment of students would be on schedule.
He assured them they will address the pertinent issues after holding consultations with other government agencies.
“We are weighing the option of either using solar energy or electricity power due to the high cost of electricity,” he pointed out. Â
The Tourism Fund officer said they are on a mission to shop for development partners to set up solar energy at the facility.
Odhiambo explained they have decided to commence on the first phase and complete it before the August polls.
He added they will begin the second phase on completion of the first phase of the project.
“We expect the completion of the entire facility by next year 2023,” he said.
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