Bii grilled by senators over stalled stadium among Sh7 billion projects

Uasin Gishu county boss Jonathan Bii put up a spirited defence of his administration before the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee probing Sh7 billion stalled projects.

He promised to gradually allocate more funds and said he was in talks with the national government for help completing the projects that he called very costly.

They were initiated by his predecessor Jackson Mandago, who is now the county senator.

The committee chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang toured the Mehta projects before the questioning at the county assembly building.

The senators demanded to know why the projects had not been completed, although they had been started during Mandago’s tenure.

“The government operates in perpetuity, and since you are now the governor, you must own the projects and complete them so the people of Uasin Gishu can get value for money invested in the projects,” Kajwang said.

The committee session included vice chairman Johnes Mwaruma of Taveta, Samson Cherargei of Nandi, Enoch Wambua of Kitui and Steve Lelegwe of Samburu.

The senators toured the 64 Stadium, which was to cost Sh1.1 billion but stalled after the contractor was paid Sh755 million. The structure is 70 per cent complete. Bii said an additional Sh50 million had been paid and the contractor should be back on site.

They also visited Ziwa Level 5 hospital, which was to cost Sh1.4 billion but stalled after more than Sh600 million was spent, and the Jackson Mandago Special Needs and Rehabilitation Centre that was to cost Sh2.5 billion and stalled after more than Sh200 million was spent.

They also toured the Kesses Hospital, which has also stalled. 

 Bii said the projects were very costly to the county but took responsibility to complete them.

“I will allocate resources gradually, and though it might take time, we are committed to ensure the projects are completed,” he said.

The governor appeared with Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea and several executives and chief officers.

Kajwang said the projects had turned into white elephants, which were shameful and indicated a waste of public resources.

He asked why a county like Makueni was able to complete a 200-bed mother and baby hospital with less than Sh150 million, while Uasin Gishu had already spent more than Sh600 million on the stalled Ziwa Hospital.

Governor Bii said since he assumed office, his administration had paid more than Sh2.2 billion in pending bills and improved internal revenue collections to more than Sh1.4 billion, enhancing capacity to better serve residents.

Senator Wambua expressed anger after county officials said the abandoned stadium was 70 per cent complete.

“From where I sit, there is no value for money on this project,” Wambua said. “This is embarrassing because if this happens in the county that is home to the President (William Ruto), then what is happening in other counties?”

He described the work on the project as shoddy and asked how it would be completed with the balance of funds yet to be paid to the contractor.

Other senators who toured at the stadium included Okong’o Mogeni of Nyamira, Mwenda Gatuya of Tharaka Nithi and Fatuma Dullo of Isiolo.

Cherargei said it was shameful such a key sports project could stall in an area known for athletics prowess.

The senators said they would be tough on counties to ensure they prioritise value for money disbursed for devolution projects.

Chairman Mwaruma said the contractor had been paid an additional Sh50 million and should get back to the site to complete the project. It should have been in use by last year.

The project stalled after the World Bank, which was financing it, suspended the financing, which was taken over by the county.

County officials led by roads executive Joseph Lagat were at pains to explain why the project had stalled.

Wambua said the county is supposed to set standards for others and accused the government of failing to complete several stadiums it had pledged to construct.

After the questioning, Bii assured the senators that moving forward he would do his best to ensure all projects are completed in good time.