Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang yesterday responded to claims that the county had purchased cement at an inflated cost.
Politicians always believe that a strong legacy is built on a block of concrete. What most people aren’t aware of is that that concrete has to be on the limelight-irregardless.
According to the report for on the completion of ongoing Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres raised questions after it was quoted that the county would purchase 400 bags of cement for Ksh3,640,000 which translates to Ksh 9,000 a bag.
The governor in response revealed that the figures in the report dated June 9, 2020, prepared by the Chief Officer in the County for the Education Research and Vocational Training had been doctored.
While sharing a report of the same document, Sang stated that 4,000 bags would be purchased at Ksh 3.6 Million bringing the cost of a bag of cement to Ksh 910. His response ignited more questions over the cost of a bag of cement which many found to be high.
The budget document presented by the governor also had other materials including window panes, assorted paints, sand, quarry stones/ ballast, flash doors, nails, cables, assorted timber, fuel as well as labour costs.
“Ksh910 per bag is still high sir. It would be interesting to know the type of cement. Your response raises more questions. You should have left it to Junior officers. Too late. The damage was done,” one Roger Kitur commented.
“A good quality Cement is worth Ksh730 in the retail price, I expected less than that since it is in bulk, but according to your figure, a bag is worth Ksh910 which is too high,” Langat Elijah stated.
Others argued that the cost was justified due to the duration it takes the county to make payments.
Edwin Kiprotich stated, “That is normal with credit terms payment. It might take even six months before you get paid so you factor that it.”
A hardware store owner who spoke to Kenyan Bulletin stated that the price of a bag of cement goes for a price of Ksh600 on the higher side.
“That is the average price in Nairobi, in other areas it might coast more, especially if the client also wants the cement delivered. If somebody buys in wholesale, we reduce the price to about Ksh550 because they are buying in scale,” store owner stated.
