MPs fault State officers over mismanaged road projects
They also recommends that the National Treasury, Inspectorate of State Corporations, and the Office of the Auditor General carry out annual training for accounting officers and finance teams in state agencies.
A parliamentary committee has raised serious concerns over the mismanagement of billions of shillings meant for road construction, highlighting delays, abandoned sites, and unchecked pending bills.
The National Assembly Public Investment Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy, led by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, found that many accounting officers have been slow to respond to audit issues, with some questions dating back to the 2018–2019 financial year still unresolved.
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In several instances, officers only acted when summoned before the committee, while others consistently ignored provisions of the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Audit Act.
"The committee observed that due to a laxity on the part of some accounting officers, some queries relating to accounting standards that ought to have been resolved during the audit process end up being subjected to culminating in parliamentary scrutiny," the report states.
It also recommends that the National Treasury, Inspectorate of State Corporations, and the Office of the Auditor General carry out annual training for accounting officers and finance teams in state agencies.
The sessions should focus on financial reporting duties, audit compliance, and adherence to international public sector accounting standards (IPSAS).
The committee’s review of road and transport state corporations revealed that several projects have either stalled or been abandoned due to unpaid bills, causing costs to surge through penalties and accumulated interest.
Agencies under scrutiny include the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), and Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NaMATA).
The report adds: "The stalled projects have denied the citizens the social economic benefits that were expected to be derived from the road infrastructure investments."
The committee advised that accounting officers, together with their parent ministries and the National Treasury, fast-track the release of funds and ensure completion of unfinished projects.
Some highlighted cases include:
• Dagoretti Corner–Karen Roundabout (KURA): A Sh2.3 billion project started in March 2021 remains incomplete.
• Nairobi Outering Improvement Project: A Sh8 billion project that lacks functional barriers and lighting on the pedestrian footbridge, while sections of Tassia Road have blocked drains and overgrown vegetation despite a maintenance contract.
• Maua Town Roads Upgrade: A Sh1 billion project intended for completion in May 2019 is only 75 per cent done, with 11.25km of 15km completed.
The committee noted: "There were no works going on and the contract with the third assignee was terminated."
The committee’s findings highlight how slow financial accountability and stalled projects not only escalate government spending but also deny citizens critical infrastructure benefits.
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