A section of residents in Uasin Gishu want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate graft claims at the Uasin Gishu County Government.
They say graft has halted operations and many use the president’s name to push their agenda.
“Uasin Gishu County is the home of the president and things should be done properly. If EACC lets us down, then the problem is not the governor,” said one local who accused Governor Jonathan Bii, popularly known among locals as “Koti Moja”.
This call comes as a senate committee directed EACC to investigate how contractors were paid in full for stalled multibillion-shilling projects in the county.
The Senate Public Accounts Committee cited corruption and lack of oversight in the misuse of public funds.
Among the projects senators want examined are the abandoned Ksh 700 million Kipchoge Stadium, Ksh 600 million 400-bed Ziwa Level Four Hospital, and a special needs assessment centre projected to cost over Ksh 2.4 billion.
Some projects began during the tenure of Jackson Mandago, now the county senator.
During a tour of Ziwa Level Four Hospital, senators were shocked to find the contractor had not completed phases one and two despite full payment.
It also emerged that the county tendered for phase three before finishing earlier phases.
“During our tour of major projects in Uasin Gishu County, we were surprised to find all abandoned. Contractors awarded tenders left the sites over two years ago after full payment without completing work,” said committee chairman and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang.
Kajwang wants EACC to speed up the investigation so legal action can be taken against those who misused public resources.
He asked the commission to review spending on the stalled projects.
At a meeting in the Uasin Gishu County Assembly, senators challenged the governor over the abandoned projects despite funds being allocated for them.
The committee also raised issues with priorities, pointing to billions spent on projects that provide little benefit to the community.
Kajwang, joined by senators Johnes Mwaruma (Taita-Taveta), Enock Wambua (Kitui), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), and Steve Lelegwe (Samburu), said the number of stalled projects in the county was alarming.
“EACC must carry out thorough investigations into possible corruption.”
