UASIN GISHU, Kenya – Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI) Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa has put non-performing contractors on the spot over delayed completion of water projects.
After paying a courtesy call to Governor Jonathan Bii, CS Mugaa, who spoke in Eldoret City, Uasin Gishu County, on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, said that some contractors don’t adhere to contract documents.
“To the lazy contractors who sleep on the job, here we have situations because there are contractors who, in a way, have not adhered to contract documents. Engineering contracts have timelines,” said CS Mugaa.
According to the youthful CS, timelines require that contractors do the job well within the prescribed contract duration.
“So, if you find a contractor who has not been keen, they extend that. Any extension is an expense of the recurrent expenditure; it is an expense to the liquidated damages because people were meant to enjoy those services in a set time,” the CS added.
Why CS Mugaa is on a tour of the North Rift region
CS Mugaa further observed that expenses are incurred whenever a contract is extended, which makes some contracts very expensive.
“So, we are very keen this time around, and we are calling upon consultants because they are the people who man the contractors to ensure that contracts are done on time,” explained the CS.
CS Mugaa reiterated that if there are any teething issues, all concerned parties should come up as early as possible, especially during such tours.
“So that nationally we can address them as a team whereby all leaders are involved and ensure that the people of Kenya get the value for their money in all the projects being undertaken,” the CS said.
CS Mugaa is in the North Rift region ahead of President William Ruto’s development tour that begins Thursday, January 9, 2025.
For instance, on Friday, January 10, 2025, the head of state will tour the Kimuri Dam in Kapseret Constituency, Uasin Gishu County.
On the same day, he will also tour Kerita Dam in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County, before concluding his three-day tour on Saturday, January 11, 2025, by touring the Kidiwa Affordable Housing project in Soy Constituency, Uasin Gishu County.
How the Kenyan government is supporting water agencies
Meanwhile, CS Mugaa said that the North Rift region is under the jurisdiction of his ministry’s water agency, the North Rift Water Works Development Agency.
“As a ministry, we are also building the capacity of this agency. We are in the process of ensuring we improve the capacity of the technical staff. The CEO and the agency have been recruiting a few engineers so that we prepare ready and bankable projects,” said the CS.
CS Mugaa stated that the government needs to attract foreign investors to water.
“We have projects we can market to these people for funding. We are very grateful that the president approved the ministry’s proposal to attract blended financing by ascending the Water Amendment Bill to allow water investors in the water industry,” he added.
Because of the water spacing nationally, CS Mugaa disclosed that his ministry is keen to package its projects as it calls upon water service providers and county governments for their support in ensuring the reduction of water losses (non-revenue water).
“We must ensure that these resources are geared towards last-mile connectivity and expanding our networks,” CS Mugaa added.
