A tendering row is threatening to stop the construction of a Sh19 million paedtriatic ward at the Bungoma district hospital. A group of contractors who believe they were shortchanged during the tendering process and rights activists are now threatening to move to court to stop the award. Rights activists led by Philip Wanyonyi, the executive secretary of Jukwaa la Katiba group said yesterday the hospital committee failed to adhere to the procurement act by awarding the tender to Butalink company .

Wanyonyi had documents from the Ministry of Public Works which recommended Bumula Enterprise which had quoted Sh17.9 million unlike Butalink which had quoted Sh18.3 milion. "We will not sit back and watch as procurement procedures are literally hijacked for the selfish interests of a few individuals," he said. Wanyonyi said the Australian non-governmental organisation that gave the donation had clearly stipulated that the procurement procedures be followed to the latter failure to which they will with draw their moneey.

The hospital has received Sh9 million. Wanyonyi alleged that the hospital board popularly known as the League of Friends decided at the last minute to give the tender to a company associated with one of the senior managers at the hospital. Among the companies that had bided for tender included Cyan constructions ,Butalink limited, Kamata Engineering's , Bumula contractors, and lunao enterprises.

The hospital's administrator Caleb Khasiani declined to comment saying he would consult and give his opinion later in the week. "We will liase with the medical superintendent and come back to you later in the week The medical superintendent Ekesa Mulianga could not be reached for comment nor reply any messages from this writer.