A social media post by Kitui East Member of Parliament Nimrod Mbai has sparked debate across Kitui County after an official tender award letter for a KSh11.99 million school fencing project appeared on his WhatsApp status, drawing questions over the cost of the works and the use of public funds.
The document, dated August 4, 2026, indicates that the Kitui East National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) awarded Kaketha Supplies a contract worth KSh11,999,800 for fencing Kiliku Primary School in Kitui East Constituency.
The letter surfaced on the legislator’s WhatsApp status, where it was visible to contacts before the post was reportedly removed. It remains unclear whether the document was shared intentionally, who the intended recipient may have been, or the circumstances surrounding its publication.
The appearance of the award letter has brought renewed attention to the project, with residents questioning whether the amount allocated for fencing the school compound represents value for public money.
According to the document, the project entails fencing the school compound using concrete posts, chain-link fencing and barbed wire, alongside the installation of a gate.
The tender is identified as KEC/NG-CDF/015/2026-2027, with Anthony Munyao Patterson listed as the Fund Account Manager who signed the letter.
Residents question the cost
The contract value, which approaches KSh12 million, has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with commenters questioning whether the proposed fencing works justify the expenditure.
Njogu Wa Njeru argued that KSh11 million could be sufficient to renovate an entire school while also providing fencing.
Another commenter, Mu Younger, compared the amount with the cost of other essential school and community projects.
“Eleven Million can drill one borehole, build ten toilets and six classrooms,” the commenter wrote.
Steve Max also questioned the amount allocated for the fencing works, asking whether KSh11 million was justified for a project involving chain-link fencing and barbed wire.
Other commenters focused on the contractor’s listed location in Malindi, questioning the distance between the firm’s base and the school in Kitui East.
The comments reflect public concern over the cost of constituency-funded projects and calls for greater transparency in the allocation and use of development funds.
However, the comments represent individual opinions and do not independently establish that the tender was overpriced or irregular.
Questions surrounding the award
The emergence of the document raises questions about the procurement process, the scope of the works and how the contract sum was determined.
Key details that would help establish whether the project offers value for money include the length and height of the proposed fence, the number of concrete posts required, the specifications and quantities of chain-link and barbed wire, the cost of the gate and the labour component.
The NG-CDF administration could also clarify whether the contract was subsequently signed, when implementation was scheduled to begin and what procedures will be used to verify the completed works before payment.
The award letter states that the successful bidder was required to acknowledge acceptance of the tender, with the parties expected to sign within 14 days of the letter’s date, followed by the signing of a contract agreement.
The document alone does not establish whether the contract was signed, whether work has commenced or whether any funds have been disbursed.
Similarly, the appearance of the letter on the MP’s WhatsApp status does not, by itself, establish that procurement rules were breached or that the document was unlawfully disclosed.
Public accountability in focus
The debate places the spotlight on the responsibility of public officials and constituency fund administrators to explain how development projects are planned, costed and implemented.
For residents, the central question is whether the KSh11.99 million allocation will translate into a durable fence that meets the school’s needs at a reasonable cost.
A detailed breakdown of the project costs and clarification from the NG-CDF administration and Kaketha Supplies would help residents assess the award on the basis of documented evidence rather than online comparisons alone.
Channel 15 News will seek responses from the MP, the constituency NG-CDF administration and the contractor on the circumstances surrounding the circulation of the award letter, the procurement process and the planned works at Kiliku Primary School.
