Nairobi — Counties across Kenya have sunk Sh23.3 billion into 688 projects that stalled during the 2023/2024 financial year, exposing taxpayers to massive losses, an Auditor-General’s report shows. Of these, 249 projects worth Sh20 billion, started by 33 counties, were abandoned midway, while 40 completed schemes valued at Sh366.4 million in ten counties remain unused.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu warned that county governments continued to incur large expenditures on incomplete projects or those long past their deadlines. Some works now attract penalties for late payment of completion certificates, and others have ballooned in cost after contract revisions, undermining value for money.
“Payments have been made to projects that appear to have completely stalled, casting doubt on the value for money for such expenditure,” the report reads. It cites weak oversight, lack of transparency and possible financial mismanagement, contrary to Section 119 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, which mandates accountability and prudent use of public funds.
The audit also flags severe delays in project delivery across several counties:
| County | Delayed Projects | Value (Sh) |
|---|---|---|
| Nakuru | 582 | 7.6 billion |
| Bungoma | 5 | 3 billion |
| Trans Nzoia | unspecified | 2.2 billion |
| Narok | 1 | 1.5 billion |
| Nandi | 11 | 1.2 billion |
| Kirinyaga | 5 | 1.2 billion |
| Uasin Gishu | 2 | 930.2 million |
Delays in implementation and completion, the report notes, suggest ineffective management of public resources and hinder service delivery to the public.
The findings highlight persistent inefficiencies in county administrations and renew calls for stronger governance, transparent procurement and timely project oversight to safeguard public funds.
