Mitihani House Project Extended to 2027, Marking 42 Years of Construction.
The construction of the New Mitihani House, intended to serve as the headquarters of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), has spanned nearly four decades.
According to the 2024 Education Sector Report by the Ministry of Treasury, the building, located on Popo Road in South C, Nairobi, is only 60% complete. Initially budgeted at Ksh248.9 million in 1986, the cost of the project has escalated to Ksh4.67 billion.
Over the years, numerous contractors have handled the project, leading to significant delays and financial setbacks.
Construction began on September 30, 1985, but the building faced numerous challenges, including financial and legal hurdles.
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Currently, the government estimates the remaining 40% will take three more years to complete, pushing the finalization date to June 29, 2027. By then, the building will have taken 42 years to complete. This revised timeline extends the earlier projection of June 29, 2025.
Goals for Completion
The Ministry of Education notes that the New Mitihani House is expected to provide sufficient office space to centralize KNEC operations, which are currently spread across five locations: NHC House, Caledonia, Industrial Area, South C, and Bollore Warehouse.
The consolidation aims to improve coordination, reduce transport and logistical costs, and enhance ICT integration within the council.
In 2022, KNEC attempted to utilize the incomplete building by moving some operations there. However, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s reports indicated that many staff members had already relocated despite the building being unfinished.
So far, Ksh2.82 billion has been spent on the project, leaving a balance of Ksh1.85 billion to cover the remaining costs.
Criticism and Delays
The National Assembly budget committee has criticized the lengthy project timeline, highlighting the lack of significant progress in making the building functional.
The late Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha had renewed efforts to complete the building in 2022, but the Ministry now acknowledges that more time is required.
Despite the push, the committee and other stakeholders have noted that tangible results are still lacking in terms of fast-tracking the project.
Once complete, the building promises to streamline KNEC operations and reduce associated costs. The Ministry remains optimistic that the centralized office will resolve current inefficiencies and meet the council’s operational needs.
However, with the project already spanning nearly four decades and substantial financial overruns, the completion of the New Mitihani House remains a pressing challenge for the government.
Mitihani House Project Extended to 2027, Marking 42 Years of Construction
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