More than a decade after the introduction of devolution, Kenya is once again confronting an uncomfortable reality: billions of shillings meant to transform lives have instead been swallowed by stalled projects, abandoned construction sites and years of poor planning.

A new report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o reveals that 237 county projects worth Sh13.66 billion have stalled across 32 counties, leaving residents without promised hospitals, roads, water projects, markets and other essential public infrastructure.

The findings paint a troubling picture of how public money continues to be tied up in unfinished developments while ordinary Kenyans continue paying taxes and counties prepare to receive yet another record allocation of Sh428 billion for the 2026/27 financial year.

Even more concerning is that counties have already paid contractors approximately Sh8.5 billion, meaning taxpayers have financed projects that remain incomplete years after construction began.

A Decade of Devolution, Yet the Same Problems ¶

When devolution was introduced in 2013, it promised to bring government closer to the people by ensuring counties could build local infrastructure, improve healthcare, expand access to clean water and stimulate local economies.

Instead, many counties have developed a familiar pattern.

Projects are launched with fanfare, foundation stones are laid, budgets are approved and contractors are paid. Months or years later, construction stops, equipment rusts, buildings remain unfinished and communities are left waiting.

The latest report suggests that these failures are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper governance problems that have persisted under successive county administrations.

The National Government Cannot Escape Blame ¶

While governors will undoubtedly face criticism, the National Government also bears responsibility.

For years, counties have complained about delayed disbursement of funds from the National Treasury, making it difficult to pay contractors and complete ongoing projects.

Successive administrations have also failed to establish stronger accountability mechanisms that prevent counties from launching projects without guaranteed financing.

Oversight institutions—including Parliament, the Senate, the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General—have repeatedly flagged stalled projects, pending bills and weak financial management. Yet the same audit findings continue appearing year after year with little evidence of meaningful reform.

The persistence of these problems raises serious questions about whether government recommendations are ever implemented or merely documented before being forgotten.

Counties Continue Repeating Costly Mistakes ¶

The Controller of Budget attributes the stalled projects to:

Inadequate funding. Contractor abandonment. Contract disputes. Terminated contracts. Missing project files. Projects under investigation.

While some challenges may be unavoidable, many point to weaknesses in project planning, procurement and contract management.

Experts have long argued that counties should prioritise completing ongoing projects before launching new ones, yet political pressure to unveil fresh initiatives often takes precedence over finishing existing investments.

The result is scattered development—half-built hospitals, incomplete roads, abandoned markets and idle water projects that generate no public benefit despite consuming billions of shillings.

Nairobi, Isiolo Among the Worst Hit ¶

The report identifies Nairobi County as having the highest value of stalled projects at about Sh2.9 billion, followed by Isiolo with Sh1.47 billion.

Other counties with significant stalled investments include:

Baringo – Sh1.33 billion Machakos – Sh1.13 billion Kitui – Sh923 million

Meanwhile, Kilifi County recorded the highest number of stalled projects at 68, followed by Machakos with 54 and Nairobi with 36.

These figures demonstrate that the problem is not confined to one political party, one region or one governor. It cuts across county governments nationwide.

More Money, Same Questions ¶

Ironically, the revelations come just days after Parliament approved the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2026, unlocking Sh428 billion for county governments—the largest equitable share allocation since devolution began.

The increase is expected to improve healthcare, roads, agriculture, water services and early childhood education.

But before celebrating the additional funding, taxpayers are asking a more fundamental question:

What guarantees exist that the new billions will not simply join the long list of incomplete projects already scattered across the country?

Without stronger procurement systems, stricter project monitoring, timely release of funds and real consequences for officials responsible for abandoned projects, increasing county allocations alone may not solve the problem.

Accountability Must Go Beyond Audit Reports ¶

Every year, constitutional oversight offices publish reports exposing stalled projects, questionable procurement, pending bills and weak financial management.

Yet very few public officials are personally held accountable.

Governors leave office. County executives change. Contractors disappear. New budgets are approved.

Meanwhile, communities continue living without the hospitals, roads, water systems and markets they were promised.

The Sh13.66 billion tied up in stalled county projects is more than an accounting figure. It represents missed opportunities, delayed development and public trust that has been repeatedly tested.

As counties prepare to receive another Sh428 billion, Kenyans are likely to judge success not by how much money is allocated, but by whether projects are finally completed—and whether those responsible for wasting public resources are ever held to account.