Garissa Assembly demands accountability over inconsistencies in road project reports
The 1st to 4th Quarterly Reports revealed significant gaps, including projects reported as complete when they were still pending, missing budgeted projects, and the absence of critical data such as contractor details, budget allocations, and timelines.
Garissa County's CECM for Roads, Transport and Public Works, Nassir Mohamed Adan, came under intense scrutiny on Thursday after appearing before the County Assembly's Committee on Roads and Public Works to explain glaring inconsistencies in departmental reports.
The grilling session was sparked by the Committee's review of quarterly reports, which revealed significant gaps, including projects reported as complete when they were still pending, missing budgeted projects, and the absence of critical data such as contractor details, budget allocations, and timelines.
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"Why is it difficult for the CECM to provide us with the details on the contractors and project amounts, albeit his Department having an accounting officer?" asked Committee Chairperson Abdirahman Mohamed Ali, as frustrations mounted among members.
The Committee faulted the Roads Department for what it termed "shallow reporting" that undermines the Assembly's constitutional oversight role.
Abdirahman, who presided over the session, emphasised that the integrity of the reports is vital to ensuring service delivery and public trust.
"Accurate and complete reports are not a favour - they are a legal and moral obligation. Without them, we cannot perform our duty to the people," he said.
Committee Chairperson Abdirahman Mohamed Ali. (Photo: Issa Hussein)
In his defence, Nassir presented a list of ongoing and completed projects and requested more time to provide the missing details. He further suggested that the CECM for Finance and Economic Planning be summoned to clarify financial elements, citing jurisdictional limitations.
"Some of these budgetary details fall under the Finance docket. I recommend the Committee invite them for a more holistic briefing," Nassir told the panel.
The Assembly members, however, remained unsatisfied. Omar Abdi (Damajale), Noor Sheikh Farah (Jarajila), Abdi Muhyadin (Sangailu), Khadija Idriss, and Halima Hussein all voiced concern over the discrepancies, warning that incomplete reporting points to possible mismanagement.
The Committee ultimately resolved to summon the CECM for Finance alongside the Roads Department's accounting officers to furnish the full set of required documentation, including contract values, implementation timelines, and the identities of contractors.
The Roads Committee is expected to reconvene once the requested documents are submitted. They have warned that failure to comply could trigger further action, including formal Assembly motions compelling accountability.
The matter has drawn public interest amid growing calls for transparency in infrastructure development across the county.
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