Senators expose shortcomings in Kwale County’s development projects

A recent inspection tour by the Senate’s County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee in Kwale County revealed discrepancies between the official reports and the reality on the ground.

Led by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the committee’s visit highlighted the underperformance of several county projects, including infrastructure developments and healthcare services.

The day began on a promising note with Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani’s announcement that the 14-kilometre asbestos-pipe replacement project had been completed and that the Diani Bus Park was fully functional.

"The Diani Bus Park is complete and in use for its intended purpose," Governor Achani told the senators.

However, as the senators moved through the sites, they quickly realized that the county’s progress was not as impressive as claimed.

At the Tiwi Centre, the senators were shown only a small section of the new pipeline that had been installed, leaving many questions about the completion of the project.

"You can’t praise a project in the boardroom and then stand over this underwhelming ditch claiming fourteen kilometres are complete," Senator Osotsi remarked, expressing his disappointment with the project’s slow pace.

The Diani Bus Park, which was supposed to be a fully operational matatu terminal, was in worse condition.

Instead of a modern transport hub, the senators found a poorly constructed shed with torn tarpaulins instead of roofing, and no facilities such as ticketing offices or lighting.

"This is a glorified open-air market, not a matatu terminal," Senator William Kisang said, questioning the county’s claims of completion.

The situation at Msambweni County Referral Hospital was equally concerning.

Patients were forced to wait for hours due to a malfunctioning registration system, with only one working computer available.

Senator Agnes Kavindu urged the hospital staff to treat patients with more compassion, while Senator Oketch pointed to the flourishing private chemists near the hospital as evidence that the county’s public health services were lacking.

Despite the challenges, there were a few positive developments. Senators were impressed by the neonatal unit at Msambweni Hospital, funded by the M-Pesa Foundation, which was equipped with modern facilities such as a neonatal ICU and incubators.

Senator Osotsi praised the unit, saying, "This shows what’s possible when money is used well," encouraging the county to replicate the success in other parts of the hospital.

County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo defended the state of the projects, claiming they only required "minor finishing works."

However, the Senate committee requested that the Office of the Auditor-General conduct a full audit to assess the true status of the pipeline, bus park, and hospital systems.

A detailed report is expected in the next audit cycle to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.