Citizen-led oversight exposes stalled state projects in new push for transparency

Kenyans move to offer oversight on state projects, claims politicians and Parliament are compromised.

A new trend is emerging where members of the public are offering oversight on state projects following accusations that Parliament and elected leaders no longer perform their roles.

The face of the new social media sensation offering oversight on government projects is Morara Kebaso, a young Kenyan lawyer touring projects launched by President William Ruto and informing Kenyans whether the projects are stalled, complete or properly executed.

In several projects, Kebaso has reported no work done or stalled works despite the president launching them and the budget allocated for the projects.

"Our civic education efforts are reaching Kenyans even in hospitals. I want you to help me. Just tour a project near you and check it properly. Even if it's complete, check on government records how much it costs. Use Auditor General reports or treasury debt reports," says Kebaso on his X account.

In one of the posts, Kebaso is seen at the Kipkarren Water Treatment and Piping Project near Eldoret Airport. He reports that "It was allocated Sh1.185 billion seven years ago. Since the money was in dollars I believe this could be Sh1.5 billion in current times. Contractor Machiri was paid Sh767 million then he was fired. Sasa mambo ni hivi. Twenty-three million litres per day of fresh water to Eldoret gone like that."

Yet in another video post of Kabonyo Fisheries and Aquaculture Project in Kisumu, he is seen explaining the existence of a nonexistent project that has been funded by foreign loans.

"Kabonyo Fisheries & Aquaculture Project. Sh2.5 billion loan from Hungary Exim Bank. Conditions of the Loan: The contractor must be a Hungarian. Who negotiates our loans? My friend if I meet you I will multiply you by zero raided to power nothing," wrote Kebaso on X.

Kabonyo Fisheries & Aquaculture Project. 2.5 Billion loan from Hungary Exim Bank. Conditions of the Loan: Contractor must be a Hungarian. Who negotiates our loans? My friend if i meet you i will multiply you by zero raided to power nothing pic.twitter.com/dfREVatJvV

— Morara Kebaso (@MoraraKebasoSnr) August 18, 2024

Kebaso is earning praise from Kenyans, who are accusing lawmakers and their elected leaders of laxity in performing their oversight role to avoid theft and misuse of public funds.

An X user Nyabasa Danvas of @NyabasaDanvas says, "Morara has done what Raila Odinga never did in 25 years of fake opposition politics. If Kenyans, are not angry enough then Kenya is a cattle farm. Why are we having the National Assembly and Senate if nobody is watching over and asking questions about loans?"

Another user @SirJohnKE wrote, "Morara has achieved what Raila Odinga has never managed in twenty-five years of phony opposition politics. Kenya is a cattle farm if you Kenyans are not furious enough. If nobody is keeping an eye on or raising concerns about loans, why do we even have a National Assembly and Senate?"

Ohta Ryota asked what Parliament has been doing. "@MoraraKebasoSnr is doing would mean a whole committee of parliament driving and flying around with PAs, bodyguards and parliament staff, per diems, fuel reimbursements, hotel bookings etc....we don't even need parliament.

Mbiti Mwondi, another X user who tweets with @mbiti_mwondi said that the theft of public funds allocated to projects had made politicians rich. "This is how they become billionaires, they launch projects, eat the money and leave them like graveyards because people don't speak. Morara is hitting them at their strongholds when it comes to stealing money from us."

Kenyans have also come up with a website containing all government projects that are either stalled, incomplete, complete or whose status is not known.

The website called "National Projects that have been Embezzled or Stalled in Kenya" lists government projects and their various status of execution.

The website calls for the empowerment of EACC, DCI, Ombudsman, and all agencies that need the power to prosecute corruption.

"Civil, Not Criminal: Corruption should be addressed openly in civil courts, not criminal courts. People's Power: Give citizens the right to hold corrupt officials accountable through civil prosecution!" the website indicates.