Auditor General Edward Ouko (pictured) has questioned delays in implementation of at least 91 projects by the county government.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s administration just completed a paltry 123 of 526 planned projects, according to a report of the 2017-2018 financial year.
According to the audit report, only 53 projects had been completed out of 345 initiated under the department of Roads, Infrastructure and Public Works at a cost of Sh241,606,320.98.
The Education department had planned to implement 51 projects during the year under review, but only managed 12, while in Agriculture, only 11 of the 33 initiated projects are complete.
Water, Environment and Natural Resources was expected to implement 28 projects but only managed 19. None of the 1 3 projects initiated under the Health department was completed.
However, the report revealed that 311 projects budgeted for Sh2,840,153,325 out of the 526 were ongoing at the time of the audit in November last year. “91 projects valued at Sh127,718,133 had not started, while one project valued at Sh675,073 was stalled and the contractor was not on site,” read the report.
Mr Ouko said residents did not get value for Sh2,283,585 incurred on the projects.
“Delay in project implementation is an indication of non-implementation of the budget, which is contrary to provisions of County Government Act 2012,” Ouko said.
The county executive has also been asked to explain discrepancies reflected in compensation of employees in the year under review. Ouko challenged the county to put in place measures to manage rising wage bill.
