NSSF barred from awarding tenders as projects face audit

 

Labour secretary Kazungu Kambi and other officials during the commissioning of construction work of Hazina Trade Centre. In a statement sent to media houses Tuesday, Mr Kazungu said the government will float the tenders for the affected projects afresh. PHOTO/FILE 

By MWANIKI WAHOME

In Summary

• The projects to be affected by the new orders are the Sh6.7 billion construction work at the Hazina Trade Centre, currently hosting Nakumatt Lifestyle Supermarket, the extension of the parking lot at the NSSF building and development of 100 flats at Nairobi, Milimani.

The government has stopped the National Social Security Fund from awarding any new contracts and ordered an audit on the on-going projects barely a week after the sacking of the managing trustee.

In a statement sent to media houses Tuesday, Labour and Social Security Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi said the government will float the tenders for the affected projects afresh.

“Following the recent sacking of Tom Odongo as managing trustee of NSSF, the government has cancelled all projects that were tendered but not yet awarded or started. The projects will be tendered afresh. Further, that all projects awarded and on-going will be subjected to a comprehensive audit by Efficiency Monitoring Unit,” Mr Kambi noted.

The projects to be affected by the new orders are the Sh6.7 billion construction work at the Hazina Trade Centre, currently hosting Nakumatt Lifestyle Supermarket, the extension of the parking lot at the NSSF building and development of 100 flats at Nairobi, Milimani.

Others are the construction of phase six of Nyayo-Embakasi housing and shopping malls.

Mr Odongo was sacked through a gazette notice of July 22, and ordered to hand over to the corporate secretary, Ms Hope Mwashumbe, who is holding the post in an acting capacity.

No reasons were given for the sacking of Mr Odongo who last week moved to court to challenge the decision.

Mr Kambi told Mr Odongo to hand-over the Fund’s goods as he waits to be paid severance allowances.

Mr Odongo was confirmed the managing trustee in November last year after holding the seat on an acting capacity for some time.

He was expected to serve for a term of three years.

Several weeks ago, a meeting between Cotu and Deputy President William Ruto resolved that the NSSF together with the National Hospital Insurance Fund would be reformed to improve efficiency in delivery of services.