Auditor General Ouko Accuses Governors Of Embarking On White Elephant Projects

Auditor General Edward Ouko has accused county governors of embarking on white elephant projects and abandoning them after having pumped millions into them.

In his report for the 2015-16 financial year, Mr. Ouko said governors initiated some of the projects without feasibility studies such as the abandoned Kakamega education project.

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“Projects worth KSh55 million had either been abandoned or stalled whereas 90 percent of the project costs amounting to KSh50 million had already been paid,” Ouko says.

Ouko accused former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua of blowing KSh23 million of KSh34 million for the construction of Nasha Market. The project stalled, denying the intended beneficiaries ease of doing business.

The auditor questioned the capacity of M/s Tealand Company Limited which was awarded the contract on March 30, 2015.

“Physical verification reveals the project is incomplete and had stalled. No explanation or approvals were provided for these structural alterations. It is likely that the contractor may lack the capacity to undertake a contract of this magnitude,” Ouko said.

In Mandera, Ouko pointed out that residents have not benefited from theater equipment worth KSh17.9 million bought in May 2015. He says the equipment has not been used since purchase.

“The equipment was damped and stored in a room which was under renovation. No proper explanation was given why the equipment had not been put to use more than a year after they were procured and delivered.”

Former Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga is on the spot over 74 unidentified projects costing KSh408 million and six abandoned projects worth Sh12.8 million.

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Governor Jackson Mandago of Uasin Gishu is listed over delayed implementation of 162 projects costing KSh2.9 billion during the 2015-2016 financial year.

The auditor says the projects were behind the schedule yet Sh2.9 billion had been spent on 93 projects representing 76 percent of funds allocated as at June 30 last year.

Auditors verified 60 projects with an allocation of KSh1.2 billion and that KSh733.8 million was already spent on them.

“Five projects budgeted to cost KSh261 million on aggregate had stalled with KSh40.9 million already spent on them. The management has, however, not explained how it will ensure that the stalled projects are revived and completed for the benefit of the residents of Uasin Gishu,” Ouko says.