The Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has reiterated the need for responsible and accountable leadership in the county governance in order to ensure proper management of public funds directed towards implementation of development projects.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu, Senate PAC Chairperson and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang when he led the committee to inspect and interrogate county officials on the use of funds for various projects like the Eldoret 64 Stadium, Ziwa Level 5 hospital and others, he expressed displeasure over the status of the stalled projects in the county.
He urged the county administration to prioritize implementing projects that will take a short period of time and that reflect the value for money in terms of benefiting the residents.
The Uasin Gishu County government faced tough scrutiny from the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over the stalling of several key development projects despite substantial budget allocations.
The committee established that Sh1.5 billion has already been spent on stalled projects, with an additional Sh3.5 billion required to complete them in order to offer services to Kenyans.
“We are in Uasin Gishu County to interrogate the Auditor General’s reports and to inspect the implementation of development projects,” said Kajwang’.
He further decried that the county is plagued with stalled projects that risk becoming white elephants.
” What we have seen is disheartening. The 64 Stadium remains incomplete despite Sh 700 million being spent. Ziwa Level 5 Hospital is stuck after spending over Sh 400 million. The Jackson Mandago Special Needs Assessment Center in Chebolol, with a projected budget of Sh 2.5 billion, is at a standstill despite Sh 170 million already committed. Health facilities in Turbo, Kesses, and Moiben are also incomplete,” Kajwang’ added.
The PAC chairperson revealed that the committee has tasked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Attorney General to investigate the projects’ documentation to determine whether public funds were used lawfully and effectively.
Kajwang’ also urged the county administration to improve its project management and execution.
He called on the County Assembly to enhance oversight during the budgeting and planning phases to prevent the county from undertaking too many projects that drag on without completion.
The senators further emphasized the need for strategic county leadership in terms of completing projects on the specified period and developing plans to acquire funds from other sources like conditional grants from World Bank so that projects are delivered efficiently.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Fredrick Maritim
