The government has intensified monitoring of national development projects in Tharaka Nithi County, directing the contractor implementing the Karungaru Affordable Housing Project to increase the workforce after an inspection revealed that only about 10 per cent of the required workers were on site.
The directive was issued during a joint inspection by the County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC), the County Security Committee and other stakeholders, who toured key government-funded projects in Mukothima Sub-County to assess progress, identify challenges and ensure implementation remains on schedule.
Speaking after the inspection, Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga said the affordable housing project requires about 300 workers, but only a small fraction was currently working at the site.
He said the low workforce could slow construction and directed the contractor to immediately deploy additional workers to accelerate implementation and meet the project’s completion timeline.
Gitonga noted that excavation works had initially been delayed by the area’s rocky terrain and safety concerns but said the challenges had since been resolved, leaving no justification for the slow pace of construction.
He also instructed the contractor to ensure all workers engaged at the site are registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to guarantee access to medical care in case of workplace injuries or other emergencies.
The County Commissioner said continuous monitoring of government projects was essential to ensure quality, accountability and value for public resources, adding that timely implementation remained a government priority.
Gitonga said Sub-County Development Committees submit daily progress reports, while his office compiles weekly implementation reports for submission to the national government.
He said the reporting system enables authorities to identify challenges early and facilitate prompt intervention to ensure projects are completed without unnecessary delays.
The inspection team also visited the Miomponi–Gaciongo–Gatunga Road project, where construction has reached 57 per cent completion against a scheduled target of 37 per cent.
Gitonga commended the contractor for the progress despite delays in the supply of bitumen, expressing confidence that the road would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The team further inspected Gatunga Market, which is nearing completion and awaiting commissioning.
At the Tharaka University Student Village, however, implementation has slowed following a review of the Bill of Quantities (BQ) and delays in procuring steel bars.
Government Delivery Unit representative Mukami Matemo urged contractors to adhere strictly to approved work plans and implementation timelines.
She said regular monitoring enables the government to identify bottlenecks early and institute corrective measures to keep projects on track.
Matemo urged contractors to align project execution with agreed programmes of work to ensure government development projects are completed within stipulated timelines and deliver their intended benefits to wananchi.
The inspection formed part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen supervision of public projects, enhance accountability and address implementation challenges promptly.
The exercise also provided an opportunity for government officials and stakeholders to assess progress, identify areas requiring intervention and reinforce compliance with approved project schedules.
The government said continued monitoring would help ensure that development projects across Tharaka Nithi County are implemented efficiently and deliver value to residents.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
