By Habil Onyango
A Community-Based Organization (CBO) has written to the Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga seeking information on the spending and approval processes for water projects and ward-based allocation of Sh1.06 billion for the Financial Year 2023/24.
In a letter dated 15th July 2024 and copied to the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Mr. Solomon Obiero, the CBO, The Interface Community Help Desk expressed concern over the allocation and expenditure of funds within the departments of water irrigation, Sanitation, Energy, Forestry and Climate change.
In the letter signed by the organization’s Chairman Mr. Evince Oloo Gor and Mr. Eugine Obiasa, a member, they allege that the department has been spending Sh140 million on other projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Program (FLLOCA). which were not approved by the County Assembly.
Gor claimed that during the Public Participation, Sh 1.06 billion was approved towards ward-based projects in supplementary budget 1 but the allocations were changed in the supplementary budget 2 without further public participation as required by the law.
The CBO questioned the expenditure of Sh37.5 million on the Sindo Community Water project in Kaksingri West Ward at a cost of Sh20million and the Kanyaluo-Tende Community Water Project in Kanyaluo Ward at a cost of Sh17.5million
“It has come to our attention that the department has been spending Sh177.5millionon drilling and equipping boreholes with solar-powered pumps across various wards at a cost of Sh3.5 million per ward under the FLLoCA fund or climate change fund and other two flagship projects,” they claimed.
“Additionally, flagship projects such as the rehabilitation of the Sindo
Community Water project in Kaksingri West Ward at a cost of Sh20 million and the Kanyaluo-Tende Community Water Project in Kanyaluo Ward at a cost of Sh17.5 million has been undertaken. This totals to Sh177.5M,” they said.
“We are concerned that all these expenditures were carried out without
proper approval from the County Assembly of Homa Bay. This raises questions about transparency and accountability in the utilization of public funds,” they claimed.
In regards to the ward-based allocations, the CBO alleged that the department made changes in the budgeting without public participation.
They also claimed that some funds were removed from the education (Sh2M), Agriculture (Sh1M), Water (Sh3.5M) Energy (Sh1M) that were marked for each ward with the amount totaling Sh300M without public input.
The Organization has requested for a detailed explanation of the reasons why Sh177.5M was spent without the necessary approval from the County Assembly of Homa Bay.
They further want explanations of the reasons for the changes that were made to the ward-based allocations without conducting further public participation as required by law.
The CBO demands that the County Government provide the Bills of quantity for all the water projects, proof that the procurement process was competitively sourced as per the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act.
They were also requesting the list of the successful bidders and copies of regret letters for unsuccessful bidders along with reasons for rejection.
The Organization further wants proof that tenders were advertised on the public procurement Information Portal, widely circulated daily Newspapers, and on the Homa Bay County Website.
They also want the County Government to provide evidence that 30 percent of the 40 water FLLoCA projects were awarded to disadvantaged groups as mandated by the Procurement and Assets Disposal Act. The CBO also wants explanations on where the funds for Sh300M development projects were appropriated or directed.
“We seek a prompt and detailed response to these concerns to ensure transparency and proper utilization of public funds. Failure to provide this information will force us to seek further interventions from the relevant authorities and pursue legal redress to ensure accountability,” they noted.
Attempts to get the comment from the Governor and Mr. Obiero were unsuccessful as they did not respond to our text messages,
