The government has raised concern over delayed public projects, warning contractors who take on more work than they can deliver that they risk being blacklisted for inefficiency and non-performance.

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, cautioned contractors who bid for multiple government tenders despite lacking the technical ability to execute them, saying such behaviour is undermining service delivery and public confidence.

Owalo said the government has noted a growing trend where some contractors aggressively pursue numerous tenders, submit unrealistic quotations to secure contracts, and later fail to deliver due to overstretched capacity.

“We will not allow public resources to be tied up in non-performing contracts. Any contractor who consistently fails to deliver due to overstretching their capacity will be recommended for blacklisting,” Owalo said.

He made the remarks during a project inspection and verification tour in Kisii and Nyamira counties, aimed at tracking the actual progress of government-funded initiatives and ensuring that records match the reality on the ground.

Owalo stressed that inefficiency caused by contractors taking on more than they can handle is slowing down government programmes, delaying the benefits intended for citizens, and wasting taxpayers’ money.

The inspection, part of a wider government effort to promote accountability and speed up project delivery, brought together officials from the Government Delivery Unit, senior engineers, county administrators, and security personnel.

The oversight team began in Kisii County, where they reviewed key infrastructure and service delivery projects, including Phase II of the Kisii Bypass at the Kegati–Omogonchoro section, currently at 32 per cent completion. The bypass is designed to enhance inter-county connectivity between Kisii and Nyamira.

Another major project inspected was the 12.3-kilometre Kebirigo–Gesima–Mosobeti–Metamaywa Road, which is now fully complete. The road, delivered by the Kenya National Highways Authority, has improved transport efficiency in the region and is expected to benefit farmers and traders by making it easier to access markets, health services, schools, and other government services.

The government says it will continue to monitor projects closely to ensure quality delivery, transparency, and efficiency in the use of public funds.