'Where did the money go?' Nyakang’o flags public works over unaccounted spending

The State Department for Public Works is facing tough questions after the Controller of Budget (CoB) flagged unexplained spending worth Sh1.34 billion, with no visible projects to account for the funds.

CoB Margaret Nyakang’o revealed that despite receiving a revised budget of Sh3.91 billion, the department failed to show any completed developments in the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year.

The funds were earmarked for key projects such as government buildings, pedestrian access paths, and regulating the construction industry.

However, records show that Sh1.34 billion was spent in the six months ending December 2024, with no output reported.

“The State Department for Public Works spent Sh3.69 million (2%) from the development budget and Sh1.34 billion (36%) on the recurrent budget, implying delayed execution of the development budget,” Nyakang’o said.

The department had been expected to install footbridges, but by December 31, 2024, none had been built.

It was also supposed to process and review 20-term contracts, yet not a single one had been handled.

Additionally, the CoB noted that out of 500 buildings scheduled for inspection and audits, none had been assessed.

Nyakang’o raised concerns about how such a large sum of money was spent without any completed projects.

The only initiative that received funding during this period was the Ololunga-Olepolos B Bridge, which was allocated Sh16 million.

However, only Sh200,000 was recorded as expenditure, leaving questions about the whereabouts of the remaining 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.

With no visible results to justify the spending, concerns over possible financial mismanagement have grown, putting the department under pressure to explain how taxpayer money was used.