This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
Published on August 1, 2019, Auditor-General Edward Ouko revealed that the subsidised transport plan, Okoa Abiria programme, was facing significant challenges.
The programme, which started operations in March 2018, had 27 buses deployed to cover nine routes in Nairobi, including Pipeline in Embakasi, Githurai, Mwiki, Dandora, Kariobangi, Kibera, Kawangware, Kangemi, and Kayole.
However, Mr Ouko's qualified audit report found that only nine out of 27 buses were still operational, while 18 had broken down and were grounded.
He attributed the breakdowns to the lack of funds for maintenance and operation costs of the buses, stating that no funds had been received for the subsidised service.
“Under the circumstances, the sustainability of the Okoa Abiria Programme is highly uncertain,” Mr Ouko said in the report on the National Youth Service Mechanical Transport Fund books of accounts for the year to June 2018.
Parliament had approved a Sh500 million allocation to the NYS in April 2018 to acquire more commuter buses to beef up its fleet, but the funds had not been utilized for maintenance and operation costs.
