Dj Vnyash
The construction of the New Mitihani House has spanned nearly four decades, with the project currently 60% complete, according to the Education Sector Report 2024 by the Ministry of Treasury. Initially intended as the headquarters of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the building is located on Popo Road in South C, Nairobi, and is estimated to cost taxpayers Ksh4.67 billion upon completion.
The project, first launched on September 30, 1985, has faced significant delays due to financial and legal challenges. Over the years, it has been handled by multiple contractors, resulting in a cost escalation from an initial budget of Ksh248.9 million to nearly Ksh5 billion. According to the report, the remaining 40% of the construction will take three more years, pushing the completion date to June 29, 2027—42 years after its inception.
The Ministry highlights the benefits of the completed project, including reduced logistical costs, enhanced ICT integration, and improved coordination by consolidating all KNEC operations, which are currently spread across five locations. Despite being incomplete, KNEC moved its headquarters to the building in 2022 under the late Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha’s directive, although reports from the Auditor General reveal that much of the space remains unusable.
To date, Ksh2.82 billion has been spent, with Ksh1.85 billion still required to finalize construction. The National Assembly Budget Committee has previously criticized the slow progress, urging for faster completion to ensure the building becomes operational.
Silverio Omari
