Kilifi County defends Sh16m vehicle purchase amid cost-effectiveness queries

The Kilifi County Department of Lands, Energy, and Physical Planning is under scrutiny following the acquisition of a vehicle aimed at enhancing the maintenance of energy infrastructure.

The purchase valued at Sh16 million, has sparked questions regarding its cost-effectiveness.

In response to concerns, the department clarified that the vehicle was procured through a government framework managed by the State Department of Public Works.

The department stated the framework mandates procurement from prequalified suppliers at a set price, in this case, Sh16 million.

Defending itself that the county previously focused mainly on installing infrastructure without adequate provisions for maintenance, leading to issues like non-functional street lights.

“There is an existing government framework for the purchase of motor vehicles from the State Department of Public Works. This is what the National Government, Parastatals and County Governments use to purchase vehicles from prequalified suppliers like Isuzu, Toyota and Mitsubishi," the department stated.

"In the framework given by the National Government, the price of the High-Up Vehicle is clearly Sh16 million and that means any county government or even Kenya Power itself buys with the same price.”

Explaining the process, the department insisted that since the inception of the new administration, the county has strictly used this framework to purchase all the movable machines.

“From the graders in the Department of Transport to vehicles in different departments we have. It should be known that the county has never and will never give a specific person the tender to procure vehicles since that’s how second-hand vehicles used to sneak into the county before this regime,” it said.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and county staff inspecting the vehicle designed for repairing street lights on June 29, 2024. (Photo: Kilifi County Press)

It clarified that the prices are therefore pre-negotiated by the State Department of Public Works and there is no room to change it however much a person may try.

“This is how this vehicle was bought at Isuzu and delivered by them. The county aims at buying high-quality assets (zero mileage) that will serve Kilifi people longer and move away from the normalcy that had been witnessed all along of buying inefficient equipment at exorbitant prices and ending up misusing public funds,” It added.

On Saturday, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro officially flagged off the county vehicle designed for repairing street lights.

The vehicle has been earmarked for the maintenance of street lights in major towns and even rural pole-mounted lights.

"We no longer need to wait for contractors to handle our street lights," the governor emphasised during the launch.

"Through this vehicle, we believe the issue of darkness engulfing our nights due to faulty lights will be a thing of the past, greatly boosting our businesses round the clock."

According to Mung’aro, his administration is committed to ensuring the installation and maintenance of public streetlights and various business hubs which have seen significant growth.

“Already, the county has allocated Sh50 million towards advancing these efforts in its budget. This initiative aims to enhance visibility and safety, supporting local businesses and community activities throughout Kilifi County,” he said.