NSSF’s grand project stalls after EACC probe
Construction of the controversial 39-storey Hazina Trade Centre in Nairobi’s central business district has basically ground to a halt after top officials of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) were suspended to allow investigation into separate corruption allegations contained in the President’s so-called “List of Shame”. At the same time NSSF is pursuing a court case against Nakumatt Holdings, its key tenant in the building. Sunday Nation has learnt that although the Chinese contractor, China Jiangxi International Ltd, has retained some of its heavy machinery on site, work has been suspended on the Sh6.5 billion project building that houses Nakumatt Lifestyle on Monrovia Street.
Multiple interviews with NSSF employees, workers and engineers on the site— who spoke on condition of anonymity—indicate the investigations of the NSSF officials could be affecting construction, even as it emerged that Public Procurement Oversight Authority boss Maurice Juma told the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee the awarding of the tender was irregular.
NSSF managing trustee Richard Lang’at was among senior officials who stepped aside after President Uhuru Kenyatta tabled in Parliament a list of people to be investigated by the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC).
“The officers who were in charge of this project at NSSF stepped aside. That is why the floors have not gone up for a while,” said an engineer on site.
RinkAlso, isnt the building 39 floors?