NAIROBI, Kenya – Imagine an eye-watering Sh1.34 billion vanishing into thin air, leaving taxpayers with nothing to show for it.
This is the grim reality facing the State Department for Public Works, where a massive chunk of public funds has disappeared without a trace of completed projects.
The shocking revelation, flagged by Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o, raises serious concerns about financial accountability in one of the government’s key departments.
Initially allocated Sh5.01 billion, the department’s budget was revised to Sh3.91 billion in the mini-budget.
These funds were earmarked for critical initiatives such as constructing government buildings, creating pedestrian access paths, and regulating the construction industry.
However, by December 2024, Sh1.34 billion had already been spent—with no tangible results.
“The State Department for Public Works spent Sh3.69 million (2 percent) from the development budget and Sh1.34 billion (36 percent) on the recurrent budget, implying delayed execution of the development budget,” said Nyakang’o.
The department was expected to achieve significant milestones in the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year.
These included the completion of footbridge installations, processing and reviewing 20 term contracts, and conducting inspections and audits of 500 government buildings. Shockingly, none of these targets were met.
Nyakang’o further disclosed that the only project allocated funds during this period was the Ololunga-Olepolos B Bridge, which received Sh16 million.
Yet, only Sh200,000 was recorded as expenditure, leaving the rest of the funds unaccounted for.
“An analysis of the projects the State Department for Public Works implemented indicated that no projects were funded during the first half of the financial year 2024-2025,” said Nyakang’o.
The lack of progress despite substantial spending has fueled suspicions of financial mismanagement. Nyakang’o questioned how Sh1.34 billion could have been used without any visible outcomes.
With no footbridges built, no term contracts reviewed, and no buildings inspected, the department’s performance has been nothing short of dismal.
This revelation adds to a growing list of financial scandals in government departments.
Recent reports highlighted delayed payments costing taxpayers Sh24.8 billion in penalties and agencies spending Sh14 billion with no tangible results.
The glaring inefficiencies and suspected misuse of funds in the State Department for Public Works have ignited calls for a thorough audit and accountability.
With taxpayers footing the bill, the public deserves transparency and concrete action to address this financial debacle.
