Senators want Auditor General Nancy Githangu to audit the stalled Sh477 million Moisoy maize milling plant in Uasin Gishu county.
The project was initiated during the tenure of former Governor Jackson Mandago, who is now senator for the area.
The Godfrey Osotsi-led County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee on Saturday directed the Auditor General to move with speed to investigate it.
“We have found out that things on the ground are different from what is on the paper, and that the Auditor General will help us to find out exactly what happened to this project, including how much was used on it,” Osotsi said.
He was touring Soy subcounty with his team, including Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang and nominated senators Tabitha Mitinda and Hamida Kibwana. Also present were Governor Jonathan Bii and MCAs.
They established that the project, initiated in 2019, had stalled, with the county already having used more than half of the Sh477 million on it.
Members of the committee raised issues with how the money was used on the project. An agreement had been signed between a contractor and officials of the co-operative society that was to operate the Moisoy milling plant.
The contractor told the team he needed more money to complete the project and connect electricity before it can start operations. It was further established that the county government gave out a loan of Sh285 million.
Thereafter, farmers, through their Sacco, topped up Sh192 million through their share contributions towards the construction of the milling plant.
However, five years down the line, the more than 20,000 farmers who are member of the society are yet to start benefitting from the project.
This after the contractor, African Grain Care Equipment Limited, abandoned the milling plant project, citing financial constraints as the main factor.
Osotso and his team, however, called for its completion. “The entire project is a very noble idea that should not be abandoned.
The county should look into ways of getting funds to complete the project,” Osotsi said. Farmers said the project would have enabled them to earn more through value addition.
Governor Bii assured the committee that the county would consider advancing a Sh100 million facility towards completing the milling plant to enable it to start receiving grain from farmers.
African Grain Care Equipment Limited MD Michael Kebenei said the project stalled due to lack of funding. “If the money required is availed, I commit to complete the milling plant project in less than three months to enable its operation to start, so that farmers can start reaping the benefits,” he said.
Osotsi said they would follow up
the issue with the Auditor General and
also ensure that the county works to
have the project completed as soon
as possible.
