MPs demand answers over Sh1 billion lost in water projects

The Ministry of Water is under intense scrutiny after the Auditor General revealed irregular payments exceeding Sh1 billion for projects that are either incomplete or undocumented.

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee questioned why large sums were paid for boreholes and irrigation schemes without clear records of their existence or progress.

During a committee hearing on Wednesday, Water Principal Secretary Julius Korir was pressed to explain the payment of Sh177 million for boreholes with no specified numbers.

"Since you paid Sh177 million, which was not budgeted for, which items did you subtract from the approved budget for you to utilise the amount in the unbudgeted budget? Why was this payment made to an unknown number of boreholes?" asked committee chair MP Tindi Mwale.

 "We can bring more documents to the committee that list the boreholes that benefited, their status and the locations," Korir said.

However, MPs remained skeptical, with Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo demanding a complete list of all boreholes in the country to identify fictitious payments.

The audit also raised concerns over stalled projects, including the Murang’a Lot 3 Irrigation Project, which received Sh19.6 million but remains unfinished, and the Kenyenyaini Irrigation Project, paid Sh176 million but incomplete.

The River Sagana Restoration Project, allocated Sh443.6 million, also remains questionable.

In addition, Sh27 million paid for ablution blocks in Mtwapa and Mariakani show no visible progress.

The Olopito Irrigation Project recorded a loss of Sh5.5 million due to contractor overpayment, while Sh14 million was spent on land without ownership documents for the Parkilat Water Project in Kilgoris Constituency.

The Public Accounts Committee is demanding full transparency and accountability to ensure that public funds are not lost to incomplete or non-existent projects.