Kakamega restarts stalled projects, allocates funds

The County Government of Kakamega has restarted all stalled projects that were started by the former regime.

The projects include the construction of Shamakhubu Level 4 hospital, Mandala tea factory in Shinyalu subcounty and construction of a maize milling factory in Lugari subcounty.

They were initiated in the first term of retired governor Wycliffe Oparanya.  

Deputy governor Ayub Savula said the projects have already been allocated funds this financial year.

Savula said the county has allocated 67 million for completion of Shamakhubu hospital which is expected to be completed and operating by December this year.

The hospital was initiated in 2016 and was envisaged to be complete and operational in July 2022.

However, works on the project are still at 85 per cent, despite 95 per cent of the contract amount having been paid to the contractor.

“By December, we will have finished the financing and signing agreement with KTDA for construction of the Sh600 million Madala tea factory to start,” he said.

“Tax payers’ money has already been spent on these projects but residents have not received value for the money. We will just ensure their completion but those involved in their stalling must take responsibility,” he said.

He made the remarks when he met a delegation from the International Fund for Agriculture Development led by country director Mariatu Kamara.

He said the county government had already issued cash for purchase of land for construction of the Lugari Maize Milling factory that was conceived in 2016 but is yet to take off.

Savula said the county government has stopped payments to all projects under investigation by the various county assembly departmental committees.

He said a contractor has already been awarded the tender for the construction of the Sh500 million Likuyani industrial park.

The project will be launched by President William Ruto in two weeks time.

Savula said the county was scouting for investors from Netherlands to operationalise the Malava milk processing factory.

The deputy governor said the projects were meant to alleviate poverty by creating jobs which will in turn create wealth for residents of Kakamega county.