Many government projects valued at billions of shillings have either stalled, delayed or fallen behind schedule, denying Kenyans much-needed services.
The revelations are contained in the latest report of Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o on the budget implementation review for the national government for the period ended June 30, 2026.
According to the report, the projects have stalled or been delayed across various ministries and departments, including Transport, Public Works, Energy, Health and Education.
“The poor performance of the projects is due to inadequate budgetary provisions,” Nyakang’o said in the report.
In the State Department of Roads, several projects have fallen behind schedule.
They include the Sh23 billion Konyu-Kagumo road, which was started in May 22 and was expected to be completed in February 2026. However, the project is only six per cent complete.
Eldas Township Road, whose construction started in January 2022 for Sh516.83 million and was supposed to be completed in September 2025, is at 71 per cent complete.
In yet another delayed project, the Nyaburu (Jnc C20)-Oboke-Rangwe Road, which started in August 2021 for Sh983.69 million and was due for completion in August 2025, is at only 17 per cent completion.
The construction of the Sh3.08 billion Chobe-Kambi George-Weru-Matundura and Muti-ini-Thindi road is at 13 per cent completion despite being scheduled to end in June this year.
The Sagana-Kathaka-Thiguku/ Mururi-Mahigaini-Nyamindi-Kiumbun road is 37 per cent complete, yet it was supposed to be completed in August 2026.
Some projects have exceeded their project costs. For instance, the Dualling of the Mombasa–Mariakani Road (Lot 1: Msa–Kwa Jomvu) has exceeded its projected cost by Sh404.63 million, resulting in an absorption rate of 103 per cent.
“The over-expenditure is due to interest on late payment and accumulated claims. Besides, five road projects had overstretched their completion timelines,” the report states.
In the State Department of Transport, the construction of Special Economic Zone Development Project Dongo Kundu for Sh60.62 million has fallen behind schedule.
The project started in July 2020, with its completion date set for June this year. However, it is only 13 per cent complete.
Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport BRT Line 2 (Simba Line), which was supposed to be completed in June last year at Sh5.57 billion, is still 54 per cent complete.
The construction of the Mombasa SGR-Miritini MGR & railway bridge across Makupa Causeway, which was supposed to be completed in 2024, is currently 91 per cent complete.
“The State Department for Transport recorded mixed project implementation performance as at 30 June 2026,” the report says.
The situation is the same in the State Department of Public Works, where several projects have fallen behind schedule.
They include Ombo Bridge, which was supposed to be completed in February this year but is still 25 per cent complete.
The department was also financing construction of headquarters for Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Nyandarua, Lamu and Tana River. The projects were supposed to be completed in 2025, having started way back in 2026.
“Conversely, the Ombo Bridge Project recorded the lowest completion rate at 25 per cent, having been introduced late in the financial year, with the first three quarters devoted to feasibility studies, design, documentation and procurement processes,” the report states.
In the State Department for Energy, the Reinforcement of Transmission Network's National System Control Centre and Makindu Substation project is only 25 per cent complete.
It was supposed to be completed in June last year.
“Key implementation challenges included inadequate budgetary allocations, land acquisition and wayleave issues, vandalism of infrastructure, insecurity, complex geological conditions and delays in securing support from the county government,” the report states.
