Nyakang’o flags Public Works department over Sh1.34 billion spent on non-existent projects
The lack of progress despite the substantial expenditure has raised concerns over possible financial mismanagement within the department.
Imagine spending Sh1.34 billion and having nothing to show for it.
That is the reality at the State Department for Public Works where taxpayers’ money appears to have vanished without a trace of completed projects.
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This revelation, flagged by Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o, has raised serious concerns about financial accountability and how public funds are being managed within the department.
Initially, the department was allocated Sh5.01 billion, but this was revised to Sh3.91 billion in the mini-budget.
The funds were intended for key projects including government buildings, pedestrian access paths and regulating the construction industry.
However, records from the CoB indicate that Sh1.34 billion was used in the six months ending December 2024, with no projects to show for it.
“The State Department for Public Works spent Sh3.69 million (2 per cent) from the development budget and Sh1.34 billion (36 per cent) on the recurrent budget, implying delayed execution of the development budget,” Nyakang’o said.
Doubts
She further pointed out that no outputs were recorded in the first half of the financial year 2024-2025, casting doubts on how the funds were utilised.
The department was expected to complete footbridge installations, but none had been built by December 31, 2024.
It was also supposed to process and review 20 term contracts, yet none had been handled.
Nyakang’o also noted that out of 500 buildings scheduled for inspection and audits, not a single one had been assessed.
She questioned how Sh1.34 billion was spent without any tangible results. The only project allocated funds during this period was the Ololunga-Olepolos B Bridge, which received Sh16 million.
However, only Sh200,000 was recorded as expenditure, deepening the mystery surrounding the funds.
“An analysis of the projects the State Department for Public Works implemented indicated that no projects were funded during the first half of the financial year 2024-2025,” said the CoB.
The lack of progress despite the substantial expenditure has raised concerns over possible financial mismanagement within the department.
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