NAIROBI – Contractors failing to deliver public projects on time risk being banned from future government tenders, Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo warned during a week-long inspection tour in Kisii and Nyamira counties.
Owalo said some contractors have taken on more projects than they can handle, causing unnecessary delays and blocking critical services.
“We will not allow public resources to be tied up in non-performing contracts,” he said in Kisii. “Any contractor who consistently underdelivers due to overstretching their capacity will be recommended for blacklisting.”
The warning came during a national verification exercise led by the Government Delivery Unit. The team inspected infrastructure projects in Kisii and Nyamira, comparing field progress with official reports.
In Kisii County, the inspection began with the Kisii By-Pass Phase II. The Ksh.847 million road is 32% complete and is meant to improve transport between Kisii and Nyamira at Kegati–Omogonchoro.
The team also reviewed housing projects. The Nyanchwa Affordable Housing scheme, worth Ksh.475 million, is 21% complete with 189 planned units. The larger Nyaribari Masaba project, with 240 units at Ksh.723 million, stands at 13%.
Inspectors visited the nearly complete Nyacheki–Riokabeni–Nyamache Box Culvert and the Kiamokama Cold Storage Facility, which is under final testing. These projects aim to ease access to medical and agricultural services.
Progress was also tracked in roadworks. KeRRA’s 75km Bomachoge Chache roads project, budgeted at Ksh.3.5 billion, is 77.5% complete. The 9.7km Nyasembe–Etago–Kenyenya bitumen upgrade, costing Ksh.759 million, is finished. The 15km Riosiri–Ikoba & Gotichaki Loop, at Ksh.740.2 million, is 65% done.
At Kisii University, a Ksh.527 million lecture theatre is 94% complete. Additional projects, including a new ICT center, tuition block, and a 1,720-unit student hostel, are also underway.
Digitization of the Kisii Land Registry was reviewed alongside ongoing housing developments in Kitutu Chache North (25% complete). The Kisii Cancer Center, which has lagged due to contractor delays, is only 6% complete. President Ruto personally inspected the site earlier this year and expressed dissatisfaction with its pace.
In Nyamira County, the delegation began by meeting with County Commissioner Erastus Mbui. They then assessed projects including the 12.3km Kebirigo–Gesima–Mosobeti–Metamaywa Road, fully complete and already easing travel in the area.
The 98% complete Nyansiongo Modern Market, funded at Ksh.195 million, was also inspected. The market is expected to boost local trade.
Work on the 60.1km Borabu roads project, launched in August 2024, is 16.9% done with 6km already tarmacked. The Ksh.3.4 billion investment aims to boost transport, security, and commerce.
Officials checked progress at Keroka Level IV Hospital. The new inpatient block, maternity wing, and emergency complex are 98% complete. The government is also enforcing presidential orders here, including building a perimeter wall.
The team toured the 33.3km Gekano–Nyangori–Rigoma–Moturmesi–Birongo Road, currently 30% complete and set to cost Ksh.1.3 billion. The road is key for moving goods and improving access to schools and hospitals.
In the Kemera–Kiendege–Gachuba–Keumbu area, a Ksh.577 million road upgrade is ongoing. This is expected to ease mobility and support small business growth.
In the education sector, 68 school projects in Nyamira, valued at Ksh.1.4 billion, were assessed. These include 44 primary and 24 secondary schools. At Kineni ELCK Secondary School, a Ksh.29.6 million upgrade with dormitories, staff housing, and sanitation is due by July 2025.
The tour ended at the Nyamira County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Sironga. The Ksh.750 million agro-industrial center, co-funded by the county and national government, is 30% complete. It includes four warehouses each for aggregation and value addition.
Though weather delays slowed the work, construction has resumed with the contractor now back on site.
Owalo said public project records must match real progress. “Transparency is non-negotiable. What is in the books must reflect what’s on the ground,” he said.
The inspection confirmed that some contractors are falling short, while others are meeting expectations. The government is determined to ensure no public funds are wasted.
This verification exercise reflects the state’s drive to speed up public service delivery while holding contractors accountable.
