Government Warns Kericho Contractors After Inspection Reveals Major Gaps in Project Delivery
They also assessed the 42-kilometre Chebirirbei–Momul–Sosiot–Kiplamat corridor, currently at 10 percent progress.
County Director of Housing Annabel Wangari, representatives from KAA and KeRRA, county stakeholders, and officers from the Government Delivery Unit. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The national government has warned contractors undertaking state-funded projects in Kericho County after a massive inspection revealed capacity, compliance, and progress flaws in various major projects.
This caution follows an intensified monitoring exercise by the Government Delivery Unit, which is enhancing accountability measures to ensure that public investments have value for citizens. The notice was issued during a day-long inspection led by senior officials across various project sites that included the Kapkatet Economic Stimulus Programme Market, Kerenga Airstrip, road upgrades at Belgut Sub-County, and the Majengo–Talai Affordable Housing Programme in Kericho Town.
According to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency, Mr. Eliud Owalo, who led the evaluation, the government will not tolerate stalled or poorly executed projects, especially at a time when infrastructure development is central to Kenya’s long-term growth blueprint. Speaking at the Majengo–Talai housing site, Owalo criticized contractors who bid on numerous projects under different company names despite lacking equipment, manpower, or financial stability to meet contractual obligations.
He noted that the practice is partly responsible for delays, compromised quality standards, and missed timelines, all at the disadvantage of the local community relying on these projects. Owalo challenged all government procuring entities to tighten up due diligence in the selection of contractors and warned that firms that fail to perform would be blacklisted.
He emphasized that diversion of project resources, absenteeism during supervision meetings, or attempts to use political connections to evade accountability would not be tolerated. “Every public project must be completed fully and must deliver tangible value to taxpayers,” he said.
The inspection was in collaboration with NGAO, headed by County Commissioner Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru, accompanied by engineers, planners, and technical officers from the Kenya Airports Authority, State Department for Housing, and KeRRA. The team wanted to ascertain the actual implementation status of the projects and make certain that all were accomplished as initially designed, within the set timeline.
Owalo indicated that the Majengo–Talai housing development, comprising 322 units valued at Sh778.2 million, stands at 42 percent and is set to be complete in five months. The project is part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, BETA, and aims at increasing home ownership, job opportunities, and improving standards of urban settlements. To date, the project has employed 137 youths from the local area, with opportunities also opening for Jua Kali artisans, suppliers, and youth groups that can provide essential construction inputs like metalwork, masonry, and carpentry.
At Kapkatet, the team toured the Sh162.1 million modern market, which is now 71 percent complete; the market has organized stalls, ICT-enabled payment points, sanitation blocks, lactation rooms, and well-ventilated workspaces with the aim of uplifting small traders through provision of dignified and efficient business environments.
The delegation also toured the Sh192 million Kerenga Airstrip, Belgut, where the 1.2-kilometre runway is set for completion in November 2026. When complete, the airstrip is envisioned to streamline passenger and cargo traffic, increase tourism, facilitate supply chains for agriculture, and further spur industrial development in Kericho and surrounding counties.
The team also inspected the 13-kilometre Kapsuser–Sosiot and Kapsuser–Kipsolu roads, upgraded to bitumen standards at Sh906 million. The projects stand at 99 percent completion and will soon be submitted for commissioning. They also assessed the 42-kilometre Chebirirbei–Momul–Sosiot–Kiplamat corridor, currently at 10 percent progress. The Sh3 billion KeRRA project is due for completion in 2028 and is expected to open up regional connectivity, thereby unleashing new economic opportunities. Other officials who joined the assessment mission included County Director of Housing Annabel Wangari, representatives from KAA and KeRRA, county stakeholders, and officers from the Government Delivery Unit.
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