Billions down the drain as stalled projects pile

Incomplete Dr Laboso Memorial, Mother and Child Wellness Centre /HANDOUT

A new report by the auditor general reveals that nearly every county has white elephant projects, sinking billions of taxpayers’ money.

For some completed projects, the work is poorly done; ceilings are peeling off and roofs are leaking only days or months after completion.

The financial audit report for the county executives for the ending June 30, 2024, has been tabled in the Senate.

The developments follow a clear pattern where some first-term governors appear to have abandoned projects initiated by their predecessors.

In Machakos county, 54 projects valued at Sh1.13 billion have stalled.

Already, the county government had paid Sh314.26 million.

“In the circumstances, value for money on expenditure incurred in the amount of Sh314.26 million could not be confirmed,” the report says.

In Kakamega, the auditor flagged 10 projects valued at Sh7.24 billion that started in 2014-15 financial year.

Already Sh3.14 billion has been spent on the projects.

“However, these projects had stalled at various stages of implementation and no reasons were given despite their contract period having elapsed,” the report says.

“Further, during the year under review, management-initiated projects costing Sh527.29 million stalled. No explanation was provided on why management started new projects without completing the already existing incomplete and stalled ones.”

In Meru, two projects worth Sh36.88 million have stalled.

“Physical inspection conducted in September last year revealed that the two projects had not been done satisfactorily and had stalled,” the report says.

In Samburu, projects worth Sh206.53 million have stalled.

They include the construction of the governor’s residence for Sh87.58 million.

Already, Sh60.44 million has been paid for the works.

The construction of an inpatient block at Samburu County Referral Hospital for Sh116.95 million has stalled with the county having already paid Sh107.79 million for the project.

“In the circumstances, the value for money on the expenditure of Sh107.79 million could not be confirmed,” the report says.

In Tharaka Nithi, the contractors have abandoned some projects after receiving Sh525.29 million from the county. They include upgrading the Kambandi-Cheera-Ruguti Road, Karandini-Kathioroni Road and Tunyai-Ntaara Road.

“Physical inspection done on September 18, 2024, revealed that the contractor was not on site. No correspondence were provided on measures being taken to complete the projects,” Gathungu says in the report.

Erratic release of funds by the Treasury, underperforming own source revenue collection by counties, corruption, huge pending bills and high wage bills are shrinking development budgets.

Governor’s residence for Sh49.70 million in a contract awarded in March 2021 has stalled.

The situation is worse in Kitui, where projects worth Sh404.58 million have stalled.

“Files indicated that the projects were started in 2017 and their contract period expired,” the report shows, triggering concerns the governor could have abandoned them.

They include the construction of a storeyed maternity ward at Kitui Referral Hospital at Sh242.78 million, completion of X-Ray building at Kauwi Hospital for Sh2.20 million and installation and commission of an oxygen plant at Kitui Referral Hospital for Sh14.5 million.

The audit also exposed substandard work in various projects that have gobbled millions of taxpayers’ money.

They include construction of a livestock office block, where plastered corners and office floor were cracked and the paint started peeling off two months after completion.

This is the case with the construction of a snake pit at Mutomo Reptile Park, where the auditor exposed cracks and poor finishing of lower concrete base.

“The window opening access to the snake pit was not properly aligned, thus leaving a gap reptiles can use to escape,” the report states.

In Nyandarua, the construction of county headquarters at Ol Kalou at Sh617.64 million has stalled.

In addition, some 42 projects worth Sh64.07 million have not started despite the contracts being awarded.

In West Pokot, projects worth Sh451.84 million have also stalled.

They are the construction of a male ward at Kacheliba Sub-County Hospital for Sh9.89 million and Pkopoch Tourist Hotel and Hospitality Development Centre for Sh352.12 million.

Others are the construction of the Ladies’ Hospital at Chesta Teachers Training College for Sh37.40 million and an administration office block in Kapengua for Sh52.45 million.

“In the circumstances, the value for money on the expenditure incurred on the project could not be confirmed,” the report states.

The county is also yet to complete the construction of the governor’s residence for Sh198.47 million that started in 2019. In Uasin Gishu, the auditor flagged the delayed construction of 64 stadiums for Sh1.76 billion.

The project started in January 2021 after several hiccups, including non-responsive tenders. It was to be done in 60 weeks.

However, the project is yet to be completed with Sh65.76 million already paid. Projects worth Sh11.46 million that were planned for in 2017-18 are yet to be completed in Baringo county.

In addition, the construction of Kabarnet Stadium, which started in 2013-14 financial year is yet to be completed.

The initial contract was signed for Sh 46.88 million.

“The project remains incomplete, abandoned and non-functional more than 10 years after the signing of the initial contract,” the report says.

The story is the same in Nakur,u where 26 projects valued at Sh56.18 million have stalled, while 17 others worth Sh66.29 million are incomplete and at different stages of execution.

The county government diverted to other uses the Sh95.52 million meant for the construction of 21 projects during the 2023-24 financial year.

In Bomet, projects worth Sh314.9 million have either been delayed or stalled.

They include the construction of Dr Laboso Memorial, Mother and Child Wellness Centre for Sh296.93 million, a theatre at Sigor Sub-County Hospital for Sh3.99 million and a fresh produce pack house at Sh13.98 million.