Meru county has been ranked the best in the completion of healthcare projects within the allocated budget.
This is according to a report by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The report titled Corruption and Unethical Conduct in Kenya Healthcare Project was released on May 17, 2023.
Meru County leads at 14.8 per cent followed by Embu at 10.8 per cent.
Respondent indicated that Meru, Tharaka–Nithi and Embu countries had more healthcare projects completed within the planned budget.
The study established that 94.3 per cent of healthcare projects were completed within the budget while 79.16 per cent were completed within the contract.
Health staff interviewed provided various reasons for the over-expenditure recorded.
The reasons ranged from additions in the bill of quantities 24.3 per cent insufficient budget allocation 10.5 percent embezzlement of funds 8.6 percent inflation of cost 8.6 per cent and bribery 6.9 percent among other factors.
The study highlighted that projects completed beyond the contract period were high in Tharaka-Nithi, Homa-Bay, and Embu, and were low in Makueni, Kitui and Turkana counties.
The data was collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews with 1,190 health sector employees, 495 members of the public, 61 project contractors, and 47 procurement and financial experts.
The research was conducted in 25 counties across the country.