The Senate reveals 7.6 billion SH scandal in blocked circular projects and wasted funds

A report by the Senate Committee has uncovered a widespread neglect of development projects in the counties, which triggered concern about the loss of billions of means and the rejection of important services for the citizens.

The Senate Committee for Public Accounts announced that projects worth 7.6 billion SH either stalled, are incomplete or are behind the schedule in the current financial year.

According to the report, these delays are due to poor planning, lack of prompt financing and weak project prioritization of the district governments.

“The committee found that in the 2023/24 financial year, projects worth 7.6 billion SH either stalled, incompletely or behind the schedule against the expected final periods,” the report said.

The committee warned that some blocked projects were not even properly valued in exam reports, with some incomplete numbers or outstanding payments showing what it makes difficult to estimate the full expansion of the endangered funds.

“Still and incomplete projects combine public funds and refuse essential services. They also increase the project costs because the contractors can request cost fluctuations due to delays,” the report says.

Wasteful

The senators expressed frustration about the growing number of projects that have been abandoned every time a new administration takes over in a district. They said that this was not only wasteful, but also for public trust and access to services such as health, education and infrastructure.

The Senator of Marsabit Mohamed Chute gave the example of the Sololo Level Four Hospital, which has remained incomplete for seven years. The hospital was founded under the former governor Ukur Yatani, but was not ended by the current leadership.

“Despite the construction work, which has been overcontried over seven years over seven years, the hospital remains incomplete and raises serious concerns about the access to essential health services in the region,” said Mohamed.

He accused the current district administration of not pursuing the project and accused the health needs of the residents.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale described the situation as unacceptable and said that communities in counties such as Isiolo are now forced to travel to treatment due to a total of health institutions to Ethiopia.

From Isiolo to Ethiopia to treat

“It is sad that the Kenyans of places like Isiolo have to travel to Ethiopia to seek medical treatment due to this type of negligence,” said Khalwale.

Senators said that the topic alone was not isolated for Marsabit or health projects, but takes place across the country.

Many governors opt for the sidelines or stop projects that have started by their predecessors, regardless of how much money has already been spent or how close they are in completion.

The Senator of Nandi, Samson Cherargei, said the habit of ignoring previous projects and founding new ones without founding adequate plans or funds.

“Billions of Schilling are connected in blocked projects. The governors either give up initiatives that have been launched by their predecessors or bring new budgets or feasibility studies on the market,” said Cherargei.

The senators warned that the problem will probably last if the national government and the supervisory authorities take fixed measures, especially during the districts of the district.

They called for a stronger accountability, better planning and the strict tracking of all ongoing district projects to ensure that public funds are not wasted and that the citizens receive the services they have earned.