NAIROBI, Kenya – The State Department for Water and Sanitation is under scrutiny for squandering Sh96.95 million on borehole projects that either stalled or failed to yield any water, raising serious concerns about financial mismanagement in crucial water initiatives.
A report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu for the 2022/23 financial year reveals that Sh49.7 million was spent on delayed borehole projects, while another Sh47.2 million went to non-productive wells.
The audit exposes glaring inefficiencies, with multiple boreholes either producing little to no water or abandoned altogether.
Among the flagged projects is a Sh9.8 million borehole at Limanet Primary School in Narok North, which failed to yield water despite the contractor receiving full payment by June 30, 2024.
Similarly, a Sh10.6 million borehole at Masindoni Secondary School in Chepalungu only produced small amounts of water in the mornings, while a Sh11.7 million borehole at Chebastuiye Secondary School dried up after just two months.
Additionally, three boreholes at KMTC Trans Mara, Emurua Dikirr Secondary School, and Kiptagei Primary School—with a combined cost of Sh32.55 million—have failed completely, prompting authorities to search for alternative drilling sites as of November 2024.
The report raises doubts about whether hydrogeological surveys were conducted before drilling, stating that “it could not be ascertained whether proper assessments were done or what measures the department is putting in place to prevent similar failures.”
This oversight calls into question the department’s planning processes, as experts typically conduct feasibility studies to determine groundwater availability before drilling boreholes.
Beyond failed projects, the audit also highlights significant delays in others.
The Kipchobet Primary School borehole, originally set for completion in November 2023, remains far behind schedule.
Other boreholes—including those at Olokyin, Sasumua Primary, Kwirindochei Primary, and Kapsigot Primary—have seen contract agreements expire without renewals, leaving them incomplete despite partial payments being made.
The revelations have sparked renewed demands for accountability in the management of public funds meant for critical water infrastructure.
With many communities still struggling with water shortages, concerns are mounting over how such costly failures continue to occur despite repeated audits exposing similar lapses in project implementation.
