Parliament probes Busia’s stalled trailer park, stadium projects

*Senators Meeting Busia County government team.*

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Senators have launched investigations into the failure to implement trailer park infrastructure in Busia county despite repeated budget allocations by the county government.

The probe follows revelations that, despite Busia’s potential to host a regional trailer hub that could ease congestion, enhance safety and generate up to Sh720 million annually, the facility remains idle.

Raising the alarm, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah accused the county of repeatedly allocating funds for the stalled Mundika and Malaba trailer parks without tangible progress or clear completion timelines.

According to the first-term lawmaker, the situation worsened after the Kenya National Highways Authority took over the only functioning trailer park during the construction of the one-stop border post, but failed to provide a replacement.

“There is a 200-acre public parcel at Ngelechom, strategically positioned between Busia and Malaba and right on the border with Uganda, that remains idle,” Omtatah said.

He added that the continued inaction undermines transport efficiency, public safety and Kenya’s commitments under regional trade corridors.

Omtatah has now petitioned the Senate Roads and Transport Committee to establish the total cumulative budget allocation for the Mundika and Malaba trailer park projects since inception, broken down by financial year.

The committee is also seeking to verify how much has been disbursed, spent and on what specific activities.

He wants the committee to obtain and review procurement records, contracts, variation orders and payment vouchers related to the stalled projects.

Additionally, the senator wants the committee to examine the rationale behind constructing two separate trailer parks and determine whether any feasibility or cost-benefit analysis was conducted to compare that approach against building a single regional facility.

“The committee should establish the impact of stalled implementation on Kenya’s obligations under the EAC Transport Corridor Agreements, and assess viable financial options — including county budgets, Public-Private Partnerships, or donor support — for establishing a regional trailer park at Ngelechom,” Omtatah said.

Separately, the Busia senator also raised concern over the stalled Busia Stadium, a flagship project under the Department of Sports, Culture and Social Services in the County Integrated Development Plan 2023–2027, with a budget of Sh600 million.

Omtatah said the project stalled after initial construction and has shown no progress for years despite its prominence, adding that successive development plans show no meaningful allocations or updates.

He now wants the Senate Roads chaired by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, to establish how the Sh600 million was allocated and released.

The committee will provide a detailed expenditure breakdown supported by certified payment certificates or audited statements.

The committee should also determine the current financial liabilities tied to the project — including cost variations, reallocations, or supplemental budgets — and identify the approving authorities and their justifications.

Omtatah has further requested documentation on all contractors, consultants, and project managers engaged, including contracts, performance bonds and insurance details, and verification of compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

“The committee should establish the percentage of work completed, whether an independent technical audit or engineer’s assessment has been done, and identify the factors that led to the project stalling,” he said.

Lawmakers are also being asked to probe why subsequent annual development plans failed to allocate funds or report progress on the stadium, despite its flagship status, and whether the county assembly conducted site visits or demanded implementation reports.

“They should identify any legal or disciplinary actions taken against non-performing contractors or negligent officials, and confirm whether a revised completion plan exists — including updated timelines, budgets, and funding sources — and assess its feasibility,” Omtatah said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Following the 2023 anti-government protests, the original stadium was vandalised, and its perimeter wall torn down. Governor Paul Otuoma’s administration has since cited the vandalism and proposed relocating the stadium to free up the prime location for expansion of the county referral hospital.