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How projects worth Ksh.495,613,717 went to waste after Stalling and Abandoned in 2023/24 FY

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By Habil Onyango

Many new legislators are abandoning various projects initiated by their predecessors in favor of new ones.

This trend has resulted in stalled projects that cost millions of shillings, depriving the public of the benefits that completed projects would have provided.

Consequently, the value for money invested in these initiatives has not been realized.

The abandoned projects underscore issues such as inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, waste of public resources, and lack of value for money.

According to the audit report for the fiscal year 2023/24, which ended on June 1, 2024, projects worth Kshs. 495,613,717 were reported as stalled and abandoned across 29 National Government Constituencies Development Funds (NGCDF).

Nancy Gathungu, the Auditor General, reported that the Matayos NGCDF had stalled projects valued at Kshs. 85,217,471, whereas the Bomachoge Borabu NGCDF had stalled primary school projects worth Kshs. 73,079,495.

In Ainabkoi NGCDF, eight projects with disbursements of Kshs. 15,532,783 had stalled. Meanwhile, in Awendo NGCDF, Kshs. 13,500,000 was disbursed for the construction of eight classrooms; however, the project remains incomplete and has stalled.

In Bobasi, the construction of a laboratory, library, and classrooms at St. Mathews Chitago Secondary School, which began in the 2018/2019 financial year at a cost of Kshs. 3,700,000, has taken too long to complete.

In Bomachoge Borabu, the construction of classrooms at a cost of Kshs. 73,079,495 has stalled, while Bondo NGCDF had a stalled school project valued at Kshs. 9,000,000.

The contract for constructing an administration block at Bulanda RC Primary School in Butere NGCDF was awarded for Kshs. 3,330,486, with Kshs. 2,300,042 (69 percent) already paid to the contractor.

However, verification of the project revealed that it had stalled since the contractor was absent on-site, with window panes uninstalled, the floor not cemented, and both the interior and exterior walls not plastered as specified in the bill of quantities.

In Funyula NGCDF, Kshs. 4,000,000 was allocated for the completion of a dormitory accommodating 256 students, commencing on September 2, 2024, with an unspecified contract timeline.

“At the time of the audit, only partial excavation of the substructure was completed, and the contractor was again absent on-site,” reads the report.

Additionally, Kshs. 7,000,000 was paid for constructing a storey tuition block containing eight classrooms, which was supposed to include walling, roofing, door and window fittings, electrical work, and plastering of the first floor.

The construction commenced on March 17, 2023, with a planned completion date of September 20, 2024. However, at the time of the audit, the contractor had not completed the electrical and plastering work and was not on site, leading to Ksh. 11,000,000 in stalled projects.

In Emgwen NGCDF, the construction of classrooms and an administration block worth Ksh. 5,850,000 was stalled while in Garsen NGCDF, various projects amounting to Ksh. 17,657,173 were incomplete.

Moreover, in Ikolomani NGCDF, the construction of a storied building and eight classrooms at Bushiangala Primary School had been abandoned, costing Ksh. 5,000,000.

Another notable stalled project includes the construction of a modern library at Ogande Girls High School in Homa Bay Town NGCDF, which had an estimated cost of Ksh. 40,000,000.

In Kapseret NGCDF, four projects valued at Ksh. 10,606,835 were stalled, including the construction of a police station at Kesses, which cost Ksh. 3,512,176.

In the year under review, Ksh. 10,000,000 was disbursed in Kabuchai NGCDF for the construction of a storied classroom block at Busakala Primary School, with a total contract sum of Ksh. 18,950,990. However, the project stalled at the first-floor slab, and the contractor was not on site.

Furthermore, the construction of a science laboratory costing Ksh. 3,890,000 by Kigumo NGCDF has also stalled. In Konoin NGCDF, Ksh. 2,000,000 was allocated for the construction of a dining hall at Chebangang Secondary School, but the project stalled, leading to the termination of the contract.

The site for the construction of the Mutitu Assistant County Commissioner’s Office Block, funded by the Kitui East NGCDF at Ksh. 5,000,000, was abandoned.

Only the substructure and roofing works were completed, while flooring, plastering, installation of windows and doors, ceiling, plumbing, and electrical works had not been carried out.

Despite this, the contractor was paid the full contract sum of Ksh. 5,000,000. The project was not branded to indicate it was funded by Kitui NGCDF, as noted by the Auditor General.

In Luanda NGCDF, various classroom construction projects were stalled at different stages of completion, amounting to Ksh. 54,748,224. Similarly, in Lurambi NGCDF, various primary school projects worth Ksh. 52,025,264 were also stalled.

In Malava NGCDF, a contract for constructing an administration block at Imbiakalo Police Station was awarded on October 13, 2023, for Ksh. 15,999,250, of which Ksh. 9,000,000 (56 percent) had already been paid to the contractor. “The contractor was not on site, over one year after the contract period lapsed,” the report stated.

In Manyatta NGCDF, the delivery, installation, and commissioning of ICT equipment revealed that the Ksh. 949,123 ICT hub was not functional. Additionally, there were numerous stalled projects noted in Matayos NGCDF, including the completion of an administration block at St. Stephen’s Lwanya Girls Secondary School. The contractor had already been paid the full contract sum of Ksh. 38,284,255 (100 percent), while the project was estimated to be only 60 percent complete.

“The project had stalled, and the contractor was not on site,” the Auditor General remarked.

The completion of a multipurpose hall at St. Mary’s Mundika High School also faced delays, with the contractor having received the entire contract sum of Ksh. 46,833,216 (100 percent), while the project was only estimated to be 61 percent complete. Both projects, amounting to Ksh. 85,217,471, had stalled.

In Mukurwe-Ini NGCDF, Kshs 2,000,000 was transferred to Kangurwe Police Post for the construction of a police station.

“A visit to the site in November 2024 revealed that the project was incomplete, with construction stalled and the contractor absent,” reads the report.

“Although the Project Management Committee explained that the project stalled due to inadequate funding, management did not provide a work plan to demonstrate how the Fund intends to complete the project and achieve value for money for the constituents,” stated Gathungu.

In Mumias East NGCDF, a review of procurement records indicated that the PMC entered into a contract for the construction of four classrooms and an administration block at Kenya Water Institute for Ksh. 6,998,590 on April 28, 2022, with a completion period of three months.

However, verification on December 19, 2024, showed that the project was incomplete and the contractor was not on site, with the contract indicating a scope of works that included the completion of the administration block — an indication of unapproved variation.

Nandi Hills NGCDF had four stalled projects, as per the project implementation status report provided, totaling Ksh. 21,900,000.

In Narok South NGCDF, the construction of storied classrooms, to which a total of Ksh. 9,000,000 had been disbursed over two years (2021/2022 and 2022/2023) in equal amounts of Ksh. 4,500,000 each year, had stalled at the ground floor level, with no further funds being allocated to move the project forward.

PS calls for renewed investment and tech transfer to sustain gains in UHC

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BY PHILLIP ORWA

Public Health and Professional Standards PS Mary Muthoni has called for renewed solidarity, co-investment, and tech transfer to sustain gains and drive UHC.

Speaking during the Pre-#TICAD9 round table with Japanese Parliamenterians, where she’s representing the Ministry of Health, Muthoni, said that Kenya had made significant gains in the fight against infectious diseases, with over 1.36 million people living with HIV now on lifesaving treatment—representing 98% of those diagnosed. Mother-to-child transmission has been nearly halved, dropping from 14% to 7.2% in the last five years.

The Principal Secretary added that Since 2018, malaria prevalence has reduced by 30%, while related deaths fell by 40% between 2022 and 2023, supported by the distribution of over 45 million insecticide-treated nets.

“Our progress against HIV, TB, and malaria demonstrates what is possible when global solidarity meets national leadership. We must renew our commitment through co-investment, technology transfer, and sustained partnerships. We need concerted efforts for a future free from infectious diseases and Universal Health Coverage.

Tuberculosis incidence has also declined by more than a third since 2015, with treatment success reaching 89%.” Said Muthoni.

PS Muthoni credited Kenya’s progress to strong domestic leadership and enduring global partnerships, particularly with Japan through TICAD, JICA, the Global Fund, and other bilateral collaborations.

President William Ruto revealed that Kenya had signed various development cooperation documents at the ongoing Tokyo International Conference on African Development, TICAD, in Yokohama City, Japan.

The President in a communication stated “Kenya has signed various Development Corporation Documents, they include the Statement of Intent on the Samurai Bond, a financial instrument issued by foreign entities in the Japanese capital markets, signed between our National Treasury and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.

Our plan to access financing in the Japanese capital markets is a leap forward in our innovative policy of diversifying resource mobilisation for priority national development and transformation.

We also signed a Letter of Intent and Concept Note to Accelerate Access to Cefiderocol, a crucial antibiotic approved for effective treatment of bacterial pneumonia, in Kenya.”

The President noted that the agreements also provides for the supply of the medicine with support from the Global Antibiotic Research and Development Foundation.

Ruto said that the agreement to supply medicine with support from Global Antibiotic Research Development Foundations was signed between Kenya’s Ministry of Health and Shionogi and Co. Ltd of Japan, which specializes in pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing.

Also signed is a Memorandum of Cooperation on Human Resource Development between the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institution and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

A manager with the golden hand : Victor Mbaka, the man behind Babu Owino success story, joins the race for Kasipul constituency

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By Hope Barbra

Behind the scenes of the success story of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and trophy laden trolley in his management of national government constituency development funds and bursary awards, is his constituency manager.

In him, Babu has scaled the height and received a clean bill of health from the Auditor  General over the implementation of projects in his constituency.

Similarly, through his astute management prowess and skills, Babu has been credited as the best performing MP by various opinion polls for three years running.

In Babu’s safe glove, is the son of a former chief, Mr. Victor Mbaka, the soft spoken, workaholic, performer and non-controversial NG-CDF  manager of Embakasi East and now also Makadara constituency.

Mbaka an alumnus of the university of Nairobi, has cut his teeth as one of the best performing CDF managers in the country and this explains why Makadara MP George Aladwa sought for his service to help propel his constituency up the ladder.

Despite Members of Parliament being  key figures in fostering the development agenda of their constituency through the utilization of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) allocated from the national kitty, the CDF managers are actually the drivers of the agenda and actual implementation.

In a political landscape often marred by scandals and the misuse of public resources, Babu has emerged as a beacon of integrity and effective leadership.

The Auditor General’s report highlighted clean MPs in the last report in exemplary NG-CDF utilization  to include  Babu Owino of Embakasi East, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau,  Ndindi Nyoro of Kiharu, and Gathoni Wamuchomba of Githunguri.

In early 2025, the MP was ranked by InfoTrack, a research firm, as the best performing MP in Kenya.

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino during protests in the Nairobi CBD on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

In early 2025, the MP was ranked by InfoTrack, a research firm, as the best performing MP in Kenya.

Info Track revealed that he had a 72 per cent approval rating based on a survey involved at least 40,000 respondents across all 47 counties.

He has also since been recognized by Politrack Africa as the best MP in Kenya in their 2025 Star Leaders Awards.

In the wings of all the achievements, Mbaka has been pivotal having in Babu’s story and inherited  the management skills from his father, retired senior chief  Selemis Ouma Mbaka of Konuonga location.

Ouma served the people and the government  with dedication as a member of various school boards, celebrated motivation speaker  and former chairperson of all chiefs in the constituency.

The youthful, Mbaka, who has expressed interest in the vacant Kasipul parliamentary seat in the November by-election wants to replace the slain MP Charles Ongondo Were.

Kasipul was reputed during the tenure of the first MP Joseph Oyugi Magwanga as one of the top performing constituencies. Magwanga was  viewed by the constituents as one of the best performing members of parliament.

But in 2017 when Magwanga opted to contest for Homabay gubernatorial seat, the late Were was elected the MP and won a second term on ODM ticket.

During Were’s tenure, it was marked by acts of political thuggeries and violence that left several killed and maimed and this made the constituency to be flagged by government as security hotspot.

Mbaka who will fight with other aspirants for the ODM ticket currently enjoys the support of the professionals who see him as sober, mature and professional capable of turning the fortunes of the constituency.

Through his experience in the management of NG-CDF, he intends to replicate the same in Kasipul and to raise the bar through people driven service and accountability.

“I am a people servant. I understand what it takes to make a constituency functional in terms of service delivery and projects implementation.

I am capable of making Kasipul to be among the top performers and I have the template. What I only seek, is the mandate of the people.

I am a peace lover and interested in economic empowerment of our people, access to education and support to the needy and vulnerable in the society.

We can make Kasipul great and that is my commitment,” he said.

The constituency has five wards namely West Kasipul, Central, south, East and West Kamagak.

ODM  has already issued notice to members to verify their membership ahead of the by-election and the campaigns have picked up in the area.

Mombasa Blogger Claims Life in Danger After Being Dropped from Witness Protection

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person shadows with Frosted glass - violations concept background

By Correspondent

A Mombasa-based blogger, who recently made headlines after being gang-raped by senior officials from the Mombasa County Government, claims his life is in grave danger after being abruptly removed from the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) programme.

The victim, who has been living in hiding for the last nine months, has narrated how he was secretly ferried from Embu County by WPA officers, only to be handed over to his father upon arrival in Mombasa.

According to him, this sudden move was a breach of earlier assurances that he would be relocated to Kilifi County, where the agency had initially promised to transfer him due to safety concerns.

“I was shocked when instead of being taken to Kilifi as promised, they simply abandoned me in Mombasa. They told my father to take me home, and from that moment, I knew I was no longer safe,” he told reporters.

The blogger says that ever since his removal from protective custody, his family has been receiving threatening phone calls from unknown individuals demanding to know his whereabouts. He believes these threats are linked to powerful individuals who want him to abandon his case.

His ordeal dates back to September 12, when he was allegedly gang-raped by three men believed to have been working closely with senior county officials.

During the investigations, Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir was among the high-profile individuals in Mombasa who recorded statements.

Governor Nassir told journalists after he left the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices that no one is above the law and he is ready to present his mother if she is summoned; all he wants is for the blogger to get justice.

He urged the DCI detectives to hasten the probe and get to the bottom of the case. He encouraged people with information relating to the case to avail it to the authorities. The Governor said he is ready to present his mother if she is summoned.

“I have said it before and I have done it at my earliest possible time. I went to the DCI, and I have recorded my statement. The best we can all do is for anyone who has any form of information to just go. It is the only way that this young man can get justice,” he stated.

“There is no normal human being who will say that whatever happened is the right thing. Of course, I condemned it but at the same time, we need to be able now to talk about justice for this young man,” he added.

The Governor, who had been adversely mentioned in the case, said he had provided the DCI with the information that may assist in the ongoing investigations.

He condemned the heinous act that was meted out to the 25-year-old blogger. “These are things that we don’t want to see not just in Mombasa but anywhere in this country. These are things that shouldn’t be seen,” he said.

While in protective custody in Embu, the blogger also survived what he describes as an attempt on his life after he suddenly fell ill.

“I became violently sick after having dinner with agency officials at a local hotel in Embu. Doctors later confirmed it was food poisoning. To date, I do not know whether it was accidental or deliberate, but it left me shaken,” he recounts.

Adding to his fears, the blogger revealed that unknown individuals, suspected to be working at the behest of the county administration, have been visiting his father’s home in Mombasa. On several occasions, they allegedly tried to persuade his family to convince him to withdraw the case.

“They approached my father directly and even offered money if I agreed to drop the matter. It is clear they are desperate to silence me,” he claimed.

The blogger is a key prosecution witness in a high-profile case set to be heard on September 25.

Five suspects — Abdul Hassan, Hajji Babu, Esther Muthoni alias Totoos, Violet Adera alias Vyao, and Ali Mohammed alias Nyanya — are facing multiple charges, including gang rape, abduction with intent to confine, conspiracy to commit a felony, and assault causing grievous harm.

The case has already attracted national attention due to the seriousness of the allegations and the involvement of county officials. Human rights activists have called on the government to reinstate the blogger into the Witness Protection Programme, warning that his testimony could be compromised if his security is not guaranteed.

The blogger insists he will not be intimidated and that he is determined to testify despite the mounting pressure.

“I know they want to silence me, but I will speak the truth in court. My only fear is that they might succeed in harming me before then,” he said.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in Mombasa last year, and the outcome of the case is expected to set a significant precedent on how cases involving influential government officials are handled.

Former President Uhuru dealt blow as Tuju resigns; What next in the chess game?

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By Anderson Ojwang

One of the few Kenya’s soberest and ideology-driven politicians, former Cabinet Minister Raphael Tuju, has resigned from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party of Kenya.

Tuju’s departure from Uhuru’s party deals it a major blow, leaving it to be more of a Mt Kenya party and could herald its death.

It is currently grappling with the idea of supporting former Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate. Matiang’i is yet to become even a party member and is yet to indicate which vehicle he will use in the 2027 election.

The ruling party, once vibrant and controlling both the Houses in the last Parliament and Senate and having an expansive centre, is currently limping and faces competition from the new kid on the block, DCP, that is neutralising its grip in the region.

Tuju, a no-nonsense politician, braved strong community and party hostility to remain in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration after a fallout between then LDP leader Raila Odinga and the President.

Raila has remained the de facto leader of the community, and any opposite views expressed by politicians usually translate into a loss in elections.

Tuju, despite initiating several projects in Rarieda, fell to the sword for sticking with Kibaki in the 2007 general election, but he was later appointed to the Cabinet.

Tuju remained on the government side and became a key ally and advisor to President Uhuru Kenyatta and was appointed to the Cabinet and later became the Jubilee Party Secretary-General.

Tuju is viewed as one of the community’s top leaders and likened to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the late Tom Mboya, the late Argwings Kodhek, the late Achieng Oneko, among others, for his soberness and ideology-driven politics. Tuju, a journalist-turned-businessman and politician, is a polite but shrewd operator and is never driven by cheap fame and publicity.

Currently, Tuju has been one of the key pillars in Raila’s political dispensation, opting to play from the background and has maintained honesty in his political dealings and advisory role.

Tuju draws acceptability across the board in the community and nationally due to his non-controversial and issues-based politics.

In his resignation letter to Uhuru, he wrote “May I take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for having given me the opportunity to serve as the Jubilee Secretary-General from 2016 to 2022.

It was an exceptionally bold political step on your part to have entrusted this sensitive position to me as a person coming from the Luo tribe, while the anchor of the party was essentially the Kikuyu and Kalenjin tribes. Naively, many of us in the Jubilee expedition had thought and dreamed that we could build a National Party and a country that could make a transition from politics defined by ethnic mobilisation and polarisation. It was a bold attempt to confront the Kenyan political narrative of ‘Us against Them’. I and you shared some coincidences in the Kenyan political arena.

You suffered a defeat for being judged as not being a Kikuyu enough that led to your losing an election when you contested the Gatundu South Constituency under KANU.
I too lost the elections for the seat of MP for Rarieda for not being Luo enough and daring to be associated with PNU of President Kibaki.
After your handshake with Raila in 2018, it precipitated hostility between the Kalenjin wing and the Kikuyu wing of the Jubilee Party. To your credit, you shared with me and President Ruto the rationale for the handshake as being a way of building bridges and stabilising the country after the hostility of Raila swearing as the ‘People’s President’.

We were all awake to the fact that Kenya, then with all the prevailing hostilities, poverty, and the youth population bulge, had all the ingredients of becoming a failed state. It is needless to add that out of the top ten failed states globally, at least three of them are members of the East African Community.

The motivation for the handshake was to secure the peace in our beloved Kenya. Unfortunately, that handshake brought a lot of hostility between me and President Ruto despite several initiatives to bridge the gaps that the three of us are aware of before my almost fatal accident in 2020.

What I am satisfied about is that I remained loyal to you as the President, the Party Leader, and as a member of the Cabinet.
In the ever-evolving ironies of Kenyan politics, after the Gen-Z riots of 2024, President Ruto, now bearing the full responsibility of the weight of carrying the state, had to make compromises and do exactly what you had done in 2018; A handshake with Raila Odinga.

While I have been out of the country for the last 6 weeks, a lot seems to have happened with the Jubilee Party, and you have my best wishes.

This letter is to thank you and to pay tribute to our political association that dates back to the time when I worked with you under President Kibaki to create the PNU outfit.

We dared to dream and to be naive in the Kenyan political arena that we could go beyond tribe. I still hold dear onto those values of our shared humanity, beyond the easy tribal mobilisation of ‘Us against Them’. And I think it is good to be naive like our Gen Zs.
I believe that a time is coming when the Kenyans will be able to come together to confront the challenges of the youth population bulge that we talked about so many times.

The time will soon come when more Kenyans will understand that our enemy is lack of employment and dignified income and not the other tribe.

I hope that more Kenyans will be able to understand that even in the midst of so much misery and poverty, the potential of this country is up there. A situation analysis that makes the UN still transfer more of its operations out of New York to Nairobi cannot happen if there was no such potential.

I still look forward to working with you in future. However, at the present time, I see no more value that I can add to the Jubilee Party. I therefore tender my resignation.”

The question is, with Tuju’s resignation, what next in the game of chess?

Why the Madagascar team may fall to the Harambee Stars scalp in the Quarters

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By Anderson Ojwang

After 38 years, Kenya’s Harambee Stars are back to a major continental tournament, where they are currently rewriting history and setting a precedent.

Just like in 1987, the All Africa’s Game, during President Daniel Arap Moi’s regime, the team wrote history by reaching the tournament finals and only losing to the then giant Egypt, the Pharaohs.

That was the last time Kenya’s dominance in continental football was witnessed and it was capped by the Mighty Gor Mahia, winning the country the first ever African Cup Winners. Just like Harambee Stars, the Gor Mahia embers also faded out and have failed to click continentally.

From the data, the Madagascar national team from 1972 to 1980 maintained dominance over Kenya, turning them into whipping boys.

Even though the international games were friendly, the Kenya team received a thumping that necessitated a wake-up call.

In May 1972, an international friendly match played in Kenya, the first game, Kenya lost 1-3 and in April 1979, similarly in Madagascar, Kenya lost 0-4.

In December 1980, an unlisted international friendly played in Madagascar, Kenya lost by a similar margin of 4-0.

But the following year, in June during the Indian Ocean Games played in Kenya, the national team walked from the shadows to defeat the opponent by a sweet solitary goal. History in the making.

But again, as fate would have it, in May 1983 in another friendly match played in Kenya, Harambee Stars fell by 2-1 and that became the defining moment for the Kenya team.

In March 1987, during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers played at home, Harambee Stars overcame the opponents by winning 2-0 but lost in the return leg in April by 1-2. That marked the last time the Madagascar national team beat Kenya.

In August 1987, the same year, during the All Africa Games played in Kenya, Harambee Stars turned tables to beat Madagascar by 2-1, the similar margin they had lost with in the away game.

In October 1998, in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers played at home, the two teams settled for a drab draw and in the following year, the return match played away in June 1999, another drab draw with a similar margin was recorded.

The last meeting was in June 2019 in France during an international friendly where Kenya beat Madagascar by a solitary goal, this was on neutral ground.

Observation
The two teams have faced off in 11 matches with five matches being friendly. In the friendlies, Madagascar have won four times while Kenya won the last encounter.

In the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the two teams have met four times with two draws and one win each.

In the tournaments, they have met twice with Kenya winning on both occasions.

As history may have it, in 1987, All Africa Games, the then President was Moi and currently the President is William Arap Ruto.

The Madagascar dominance over Kenya ended in 1983 and after that, it has become a mixed grill of results.

In the tournaments, Madagascar have never defeated Kenya and the last time they beat Kenya at home was in 1983.

From the above data and the current motivation in the national team with the supportive team, Kenya’s Harambee Stars are likely to prevail over their opponent.

For Madagascar, they will have to overcome the dark history of losing to Kenya in the tournaments.

For Kenya, history and data stand with them and it will not come as a surprise if they overcome their opponent by a similar margin victory they have maintained over them.

Without CDF, Parliament Will Bite

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By Billy Mijungu

Over the last few days, Kenyans have witnessed a new face of Parliament. For years, our legislators thrived in a culture where money exchanged hands in the name of development, and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was the central tool of patronage. Suddenly, that comfort zone is being threatened. The calls to end transactional politics and abolish CDF have unsettled MPs so deeply that they now appear ready to summon everyone and declare war against all arms of government.

This discomfort is healthy. It exposes the reality that without CDF, Members of Parliament must rediscover their true constitutional role: oversight, legislation, and representation. Gone are the days when they could walk into villages distributing bursaries and claiming development projects as personal donations. If they can no longer use CDF to entrench themselves, then their only survival strategy is to fight, fight governors, fight cabinet secretaries, and perhaps even challenge the presidency itself. And that, ironically, is exactly what Kenya has always needed, a Parliament that bites.

With Parliament forced back to its original role, the results could be revolutionary. Governors would finally feel the sharp teeth of oversight. No county boss would dare steal public resources with the same impunity we have seen over the last decade. Each of them would know that a vigilant Parliament, starved of CDF, is watching and waiting to pounce. Likewise, no cabinet secretary or senior bureaucrat in the executive would escape scrutiny. Suddenly, the culture of accountability would no longer be a matter of choice but of survival.

This shift has the potential to rebalance the entire architecture of governance. For too long, Parliament has been compromised by the allure of handouts and the easy politics of CDF. That culture transformed our MPs into development contractors instead of watchdogs of public interest. Meanwhile, governors mismanaged billions, the executive stretched its powers unchecked, and citizens were left helpless. Now, without CDF, MPs must reinvent themselves as true representatives of the people.

We are, in fact, living in promising times. For once, institutions are at war with each other not in the destructive sense, but in a battle over accountability and control of public resources. This war could force transparency into the bloodstream of government. It could compel governors to deliver genuine services to counties. It could pressure the executive to justify its actions openly. And it could remind MPs that their real power lies not in cutting ribbon on classrooms built by CDF, but in exposing corruption and demanding answers on the floor of the House.

Imagine, for instance, a scenario where the President himself is summoned to Parliament to answer questions about government policy, expenditure, and priorities. That is not a far fetched dream, it is the natural next step when transactional politics is stripped away. The President would have to face the people’s representatives, just as governors face county assemblies. That level of accountability would mark a new chapter in Kenya’s democratic journey.

This is why the current discomfort in Parliament should be welcomed, not resisted. If losing CDF means gaining a Parliament that bites, then Kenya is on the right path. History will record this as the moment when MPs stopped being contractors and returned to being custodians of accountability.

What a great time to live in.

How 39 NGCDF Irregularly Distributed Bursary Amounting to Kshs.1,971,099,695 in 2023/24 FY

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By Habil Onyango.

The Auditor-General has unearthed irregular distribution of bursary funds disbursements amounting to Kshs.1,971,099,695 in respect of 39 National Government Constituencies Development Funds.

This is according to the 2023/2024 Financial Year report by Nancy Gathungu that ended on 30 June 2024.

According to the report, the irregularities were not supported with documentation on vetting of applications, including bursary vetting committee minutes/reports and policy and/or guidelines on bursary awards, leading to potential bias and exclusion of deserving students.

“This was contrary to Section 48 of National Government Constituencies Development Act, 2015 and Regulation 21(5) of the National Government Constituencies Development, Regulations, 2016,” noted Gathungu.

During the year under review, the total approved bursary budget for the NGCDF amounted to Kshs.18,922,393,546, with a total actual expenditure of Kshs.17,450,224,701.

According to the report, bursary disbursements amounting to Kshs.265,055,749 in respect of four NGCDFs did not meet the statutory thresholds of bursary allocation.

In Maragua Constituency, expenditure amounting to Kshs.47,528,049, equivalent to 23.9 per cent of the funds allocated, was below the statutory threshold of 25 per cent as per Regulation 21(5) of the NGCDF Regulations, 2016.

In Makadara, a total of Kshs.47,528,049 for bursaries was disbursed, which constituted 40 per cent of the total approved budget instead of 35 per cent, contrary to Section 48 of the NGCDF Act, 2015.

Kshs.82,530,000 for Kikuyu Constituency – expenditure on bursaries amounting to Kshs.41,402,700, which is equivalent to 22 per cent of the funds allocated – was below the statutory threshold of 25 per cent as per Regulation 21(5) of the NGCDF Regulations, 2016.

Embakasi West disbursed bursary totalling Kshs.93,595,000, which represents 42 per cent of the total approved budget, which is 7 per cent above the allowable limit of 35 per cent.

Irregularities
In Budalangi NGCDF, the Auditor-General reported lack of evidence of vetting of applicants and categorisation of needy students where the area education officer was not involved in bursary allocation of Kshs.56,116,171, while in Chepalungu NGCDF, bursary awards were not supported by bursary committee vetting minutes. Kshs.78,138,134

Embakasi South NGCDF had no evidence of the formation and operationalisation of the Education Bursary, Mock Examinations and Continuous Assessment Tests Committee.

Further, acknowledgement notes or receipts by the beneficiary institutions and bursary cheque dispatch register were not provided for audit in the distribution of Sh.91,851,697.

Gatundu South NGCDF did not comply with set criteria in awarding of bursaries amounting to Sh.64,063,901, while in Ikolomani NGCDF, bursary disbursements to secondary school, tertiary institutions, and special school of Kshs.26,235,262, Kshs.7,085,340, and Kshs.854,000 respectively lacked criteria for identifying beneficiaries. Further, there was no bursary subcommittee to manage the funds. Kshs.44,191,602

In Isiolo South NGCDF, there was absence of a clear, verifiable and credible criteria for bursary award amounting to Kshs.80,755,528, while Kabondo Kasipul NGCDF disbursed Kshs.50,947,275 to secondary schools, tertiary schools and special schools without a bursary committee.

Kajiado East NGCDF – selection criteria and guidelines on award of the bursaries were not provided for audit review of Kshs.60,224,648.

The report further indicates that Kajiado North NGCDF, Kshs.40,554,351 in bursary disbursements – including Kshs.31,882,417 and Kshs.8,671,934 to secondary schools and tertiary institutions respectively – were not supported with the approved criteria and guidelines for the disbursements of bursaries.

Other notable constituencies which recorded various irregularities are Kanduyi NGCDF (Kshs.62,560,893), Karachuonyo NGCDF (Kshs.32,378,500), Kigumo NGCDF (Kshs.1,532,000) and Kilome NGCDF, where community involvement in identifying beneficiaries or follow-up on unpresented cheques amounting to Kshs.1,261,762 and Kshs.87,885,904 application forms lacked verification by school authorities.

Kiminini NGCDF (Kshs.70,594,642), Kipkelion West NGCDF (Kshs.59,440,089), Kisauni NGCDF (Kshs.79,225,439), Kitui East NGCDF (Kshs.86,587,000), Kitui Rural NGCDF (Kshs.606,000) was awarded under special cases category which did not adhere to bursary award criteria.

In Kitutu Chache South NGCDF, there were irregularities in disbursement and management of bursary of Kshs.60,841,000, Kitutu Masaba NGCDF Kshs.66,956,213 was not supported by bursary policy, application register, minutes.

Further, five students were given multiple bursaries totalling Kshs.70,000, and two students who shared the same school and admission number were issued with bursary of Kshs.10,000.

It was further noted that Kuresoi North NGCDF, Kshs.41,188,736 amount awarded lacked vetting reports, list of beneficiaries, while Kuresoi South NGCDF, Kshs.38,459,320 payments were not supported by vetting reports, lists of beneficiaries and cheque numbers.

Likuyani NGCDF (Kshs.44,669,642), Limuru NGCDF – the criteria on award of bursaries was not provided for audit review. Kshs.68,040,800, Loima NGCDF (Kshs.56,008,755), Lugari (Kshs.60,036,977), Mbeere North NGCDF (Kshs.57,358,780), Mukurwe-Ini (Kshs.6,351,310), Mwingi Central NGCDF (Kshs.74,024,096) and North Imenti NGCDF, which double allocated bursary to fourteen students without justification amounting to Kshs.173,000.

In North Mugirango NGCDF, bursaries vetting reports for disbursement of Kshs.46,877,562 were not provided for audit review, while Kshs.1,438,000 in Rangwe Constituency, the bursary criteria for identification of bursary beneficiaries was not provided for audit.

In Ruaraka NGCDF, the management did not provide evidence of the formation and vetting of the Education Bursary, Mock Examinations and Continuous Assessment Tests Committee, whose core mandate is vetting of applicants amounting to Kshs.42,774,320.

Other constituencies where the irregularities were further noted include Runyenjes NGCDF (Kshs.73,989,339), Samburu East NGCDF (Kshs.250,000), Turkana Central NGCDF (Kshs.35,123,316) and Turkana East (Kshs.48,087,695).

In Uriri NGCDF, there was no documentary evidence provided to show that the beneficiaries were needy cases and there were no minutes of

Duale goes for Nyong’o’s blue-eyed CEO Dr Lesiyampe to lead reforms at KNH

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Anyang' Nyong'o Governor of Kisumu County
Anyang' Nyong'o Governor of Kisumu County

By Sandra Blessings

A decade after Dr Richard Lesiyampe was appointed as the first non-medical Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), he is making a return to the institution, in a move the government has termed as part of leadership reforms.

First appointed as the CEO by then Health Minister Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o in June 2011 amid protests from the medical fraternity, it was described as a shift from the tradition of picking medical doctors to lead hospitals countrywide.

And yesterday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale went back for Nyong’o’s blue-eyed CEO by transferring him from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), where he was the acting chief officer, to Kenyatta National Hospital and appointed Dr Joshua Clinton Ombiri Okise as the acting CEO of JOOTRH.

In a circular, the CS wrote: “The Government of Kenya has identified healthcare delivery as one of the core pillars of its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. As the apex national referral facility, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) plays a critical role in advancing health sector reforms and achieving Universal Health Coverage. To support this mandate, Dr Richard Lesiyampe has been transferred to act as the Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital.

Dr Lesiyampe, formerly acting CEO of JOOTRH, brings vast experience to strengthen KNH’s governance, clinical, and administrative systems in line with the ongoing reforms.”

Lesiyampe, the former Principal Secretary in the Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, has been behind the recent development and growth at JOOTRH.

Some of his achievements include enhanced revenue generation — from a paltry Sh30 million to Sh60 million, and currently Sh150 million.

“When I came to JOOTRH, the hospital was making a revenue of Sh30 million every month. In three months, it had risen to Sh60 million. We now make Sh150 million per month.

Part of the funds are used to purchase drugs. As we speak, out of 10 drugs prescribed to a patient, you can only miss two. Prior to this, we only had 30 per cent of the drugs,” he said.

Dr Lesiyampe said 95 per cent of lab tests are done at the facility since they have been working to ensure availability of all the reagents.

Other changes he brought at the facility included upgrading the hospital kitchen to gas from firewood. The hospital has also acquired new machines, drilled an internal water source, and currently produces its own paints to limit expenditure.

He also came up with a communication strategy of holding meetings with heads of departments every first day of the week and an open meeting for all staff once every month.

“We have also managed to employ 140 more workers over the last one year, including 60 nurses, 10 doctors, among other medical officers,” he said.

In 2011, Nyong’o, on his appointment, said that he wanted a leader and a manager who could transform the ailing health facility. But his choice of Dr Lesiyampe was met with objection from doctors.

“A number of individuals at Afya House who resisted my appointment said they could not allow a non-medic who had been managing wildlife to manage patients,” he said in a recent interview.

Before his appointment at JOOTRH, Dr Lesiyampe, formerly a PS at the Ministry of Agriculture, had unsuccessfully vied for a gubernatorial position in Samburu.

He developed a simple work policy called Management by Walking Around (MBWA) that saw him succeed at KNH and JOOTRH.

“I was able to transform KNH in just 18 months. What made it possible is the fact that I utilised the skills and knowledge I had gained over the years in different professions,” he said.

Dr Lesiyampe credits his success to his “Rhino Philosophy” – charging forward without hesitation, much like the animal.

CHAN tournament opens door to sports tourism with the Angola National team touring the Nairobi National Park

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By PHILLIP ORWA

The ongoing CHAN tournament has provided the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) with an opportunity to market and expand its sports tourism portfolio.

And the Angola national team, after their elimination from the tournament, opted to discover Kenya by visiting and touring the Nairobi National Park.

The delegation toured the park through a programme curated by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) under its expanding sports tourism portfolio.

The engagement was part of KTB’s strategic approach to harness the unique synergy between sports and tourism, recognising the growing impact of sports tourism in driving travel and destination awareness across regional and international markets.

KTB CEO June Chepkemei underscored the importance of sports tourism in promoting the country’s appeal. She noted that Kenya’s vision was to tap into every opportunity that places the destination on the global map.

“Sport speaks to passion, pride, and possibility and it brings Kenya’s story to life in a way that is both global and personal.

In bringing teams like Angola’s to discover Kenya we solidify our commitment to harnessing diverse avenues for tourism growth thus sustaining our global competitiveness.

We are confident that these personal encounters will deepen appreciation for our hospitality and inspire more travellers to explore Magical Kenya,” said Chepkemei.

Angola National Football, comprising players, officials and the media team, took time away from the pitch to engage in an immersive tour of the Nairobi National Park over the weekend.

This was after they failed to qualify for the group stages of the ongoing CHAN; they fell 2-0 at the hands of DR Congo on Thursday 14th.

Angola won only one match against Zambia, beating them 2-1 of the four they took part in, drew one with Kenya having settled for a one-all draw, and lost to Morocco 2-0.

Erick Goncalves, the Director of Communications for the Angola Football Federation, said it was his first time visiting the Nairobi National Park and termed the experience as worthwhile.

Goncalves said “It is my first time coming to Nairobi National Park and it was amazing especially with close wildlife encounters. I will share this experience with my family and friends and invite everyone, not just Angolans, but people everywhere to visit this wonderful place.”

Similarly, Eddie Afonso, a defender with the Angola National team, remarked on the hospitality extended during their stay: “Nairobi is a wonderful city with kind people and a unique environment. Experiencing the park here was very special and memorable for all of us.”

The familiarisation trip aligns with recent strategic moves by KTB to intertwine sports with destination branding. Earlier this month, KTB entered into a partnership with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) aimed at leveraging football’s widespread appeal – particularly through the national team Harambee Stars – to spotlight Kenya as a vibrant and dynamic tourism hub.

The collaboration complements earlier initiatives by the Board that have engaged celebrated athletes and major international events to elevate Kenya’s profile.

Arcilen Oliveira, Director of Football for Angola, expressed enthusiasm about the overall experience: “Although I have visited Kenya before, this was my first time at a national park here. The combination of excellent hospitality and proximity to nature made this trip unforgettable for our team. It’s not every day you get this close to such diverse wildlife.”

Football’s universal appeal continues to unlock new traveller segments. According to UN Tourism, sports tourism presently accounts for an estimated ten per cent of global travel and is among the fastest-growing niches, outpacing traditional holiday traffic.

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