Auditor General flags 11 counties over Sh3.8bn stalled assembly chambers

Eleven counties have been flagged for spending billions of shillings on County Assembly chambers that remain incomplete years after contractors were paid, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed.

In her audit for the 2023/2024 financial year, Gathungu reported that the stalled chambers have already consumed Sh3.8 billion, with some projects dragging on for up to seven years past their delivery timelines.

She named Kilifi, Marsabit, Isiolo, West Pokot, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Bomet, Kisumu and Homa Bay among the affected counties.

According to the audit, most contractors had already received the bulk of payments under signed contracts but abandoned sites without applying for extensions, while assemblies failed to submit progress reports or pursue liquidated damages as required by law.

In some instances, projects have remained idle for more than a decade, with one project implementation committee chairperson resigning unexpectedly under unclear circumstances.

The report highlights Kisumu, where a contractor awarded Sh418,356,349 for construction of the assembly chambers, abandoned the project after receiving Sh187,293,539 by June 30, 2024.

“The contract had been awarded on January 18, 2022, with a two-year completion period ending January 18, 2024,” the audit stated.

In Bomet, a Sh473,477,177 contract signed in March 2020 was to be completed by April 2023. By the time of the audit, Sh444,499,327, representing 94 per cent of the amount, had been paid, yet the project was incomplete 16 months after the deadline.

Outstanding works worth Sh32.8 million included installation of lifts, interior design, and finishing of debating chambers.

Another Sh26.6 million contract for a gatehouse and perimeter wall remained incomplete 11 months after its scheduled completion, despite Sh15.1 million having already been paid.

“The length of the perimeter wall was not specified in the bill of quantities, limiting determination of the scope of works… By September 2024, 11 months after the completion date, the works were incomplete,” Gathungu observed.

Although Bomet County Assembly had threatened to terminate the contract due to poor performance, the Auditor General noted that it had not sought the Attorney General’s opinion, which is mandatory before cancellation.

In Uasin Gishu, a Sh491,934,272 contract awarded in November 2021 with a 141-week completion timeline had delivered only 35 per cent of the work by June 30, 2024.

By that time, 97 per cent of the contract period had lapsed and Sh169,923,009 had already been paid, even though the contractor and subcontractor had abandoned the site.

On July 12, 2024, the project committee raised concern that the progress was too slow and not reflective of the funds and time spent.

“Delayed completion of the project exposes the county assembly to the risk of cost escalation and raises concerns about achieving value for money,” Gathungu warned.

In Trans Nzoia, a Sh477,657,860 contract signed in January 2021 was terminated in July 2022 after only Sh39.2 million had been paid.

The project was later retendered at Sh464,359,150 in March 2023 with a 37-week delivery period, but by June 2024 Sh333,444,292 had already been spent, and the works remained behind schedule.

The Auditor General’s report underscores widespread weaknesses in contract enforcement and accountability, leaving taxpayers burdened with billions spent on incomplete and stalled county projects.