[SIZE=6]12 firms awarded Sh1.3bn police houses tenders[/SIZE]
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018 18:48
BY JAMES KARIUKI
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Twelve companies have been awarded contracts worth Sh1.3 billion to build houses for prison warders and police officers living in 12 work stations. State Department of Housing assistant director Stephen Maina said the projects will be implemented in the next one year to improve living conditions for members of the disciplined forces. The prisons department sites are Kapenguria, Nyeri, Meru and Kakamega. The police stations are Ndaragwa, Kabarnet, Rural Border Patrol Unit Kanyonyo and Kwa Vonza in Kitui county, Eldama Ravine, Bondo and Narok.
“All contractors have been vetted and handed over sites to commence construction where government building professionals will monitor the projects to ensure they are to the required standards,” he said.
Speaking at Loresho Police Training Institute, Mr Maina said more projects were being shortlisted for the next round of funding. The institute’s commandant, Patrick Obimo, welcomed the project saying the 72 self-contained bedsitters to be built at a cost of Sh115 million would help improve capacity at the 18-acre facility.
During the handover ceremony to Haidco Contractors, Westlands sub-county commissioner Mawira Mungania said the projects will be monitored closely to ensure the government gets value for money. The police and prison housing projects started three years ago and have seen completion of 1,050 housing units spread over six sites in the initial pilot phase of 1,850 units. The remaining 800 units are set for completion later this month.