Senate Committee Demands Urgent Audit of Stalled Ksh 477 Million MoiSoy Maize Milling Plant in Uasin Gishu
“Things on the ground are different from what is on paper, and that is why we are calling on the office of the Auditor General to urgently move to the ground,” stated Osotsi, who also represents Vihiga County in the Senate.
Members of the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, led by Chairperson Godffrey Osotsi (right), tour the stalled Ksh 477 million MoiSoy milling plant in Soy Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.
The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee has called on Auditor General Nancy Githangu to conduct an audit of the stalled Ksh 477 million maize milling plant in Uasin Gishu County. The committee, chaired by Senator Godffrey Osotsi, has urged the Auditor General to swiftly investigate the project to determine whether the funds invested have yielded any value.
“Things on the ground are different from what is on paper, and that is why we are calling on the office of the Auditor General to urgently move to the ground,” stated Osotsi, who also represents Vihiga County in the Senate.
During a site visit to the milling plant located in Soy sub-county, Senator Osotsi expressed his shock that the project, which began in 2019, has yet to become operational despite significant financial investment. Accompanying him were fellow committee members, including Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang, Nominated Senators Tabitha Mitinda and Hamida Kibwana, as well as Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and local county assembly members.
The committee raised serious concerns regarding the expenditure of over Ksh 400 million on the project, particularly since the contractor has failed to meet the one-year completion deadline stipulated in the agreement with the Moisoy milling plant officials. Senators were astonished to learn from the contractor that the milling plant, which has been under construction since 2019, still requires additional funds for electrification before it can be completed.
It was revealed that the Uasin Gishu County government provided a loan of Ksh 285 million, while farmers, through their cooperative, contributed an additional Ksh 192 million towards the construction of the milling plant. However, five years later, the more than 20,000 farmers involved have yet to benefit from the project. The contractor, African Grain Care Equipment Limited, has abandoned the milling plant, citing financial constraints as the primary reason for the stall.
Senator Osotsi has urged the regional government to seek additional funding to facilitate the completion of the milling plant, deeming it crucial for the farming community in the area. According to local farmers, the milling plant was expected to offer competitive prices for their produce once operational.
Governor Bii reassured the Senate committee of his administration’s commitment to advancing Ksh 100 million toward the completion of the milling plant, enabling it to start processing grain from farmers.
In response, Michael Kebenei, the Managing Director of African Grain Care Equipment Limited, reiterated his commitment to expedite the construction of the plant once funds are made available. He clarified that financial constraints were the main factor behind the project’s delays.
“Once I receive the required funds, I commit to completing the milling plant project in less than three months to enable its operation and save farmers from the middlemen who have been purchasing their produce at throwaway prices,” Kebenei assured.
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