Why Coast counties are holding over Sh2 billion

Three counties from the Coast are yet to spend more than Sh2 billion allocated to them for development projects in the past six months.

According to information released by the National Treasury, Kilifi County has Sh1.7 billion in its bank account at the Central Bank of Kenya, while Taita Taveta and Lamu have more than Sh200 million each.

Although the report showed that Kilifi had the largest unspent amount among the six Coast counties, its Finance executive, Mr John Kombe, said the money had not been spent because the projects the county was undertaking are yet to be completed.

According to him, the money is meant for more than 20 projects currently being undertaken by the county.

“It is true that we have funds remaining in our CBK account, but all the cash is committed,” he said.

The county has earmarked Sh1.1 billion for tarmacking of roads in Kilifi and Mtwapa towns and adjoining areas and the construction of a bus park at Mariakani.

Another Sh158 million was set aside for the purchase of medical equipment, including X-ray machines, incubators, oxygen concentrators and others, to be distributed to Malindi and Mariakani district hospitals.

Besides the equipment, there are also plans to rehabilitate the Kilifi and Malindi hospitals. The county has also planned to build 13 nursery schools at a cost of Sh104 million.

“We can only make payments if the contractors complete their jobs or when we receive equipment we procured from suppliers,” Mr Kombe said in a telephone interview with the Nation.

COMMITTED TO VARIOUS PROJECTS

In Taita-Taveta, the Finance and Planning executive, Mr Vincent Masawi, confirmed that there was more than Sh200 million in the county’s account at the CBK, but said the money was committed to various projects.

“When the funds are lying at our CBK account, that does not mean that we have failed to spend the development money,” he said.

“We normally pay out the money to contractors who have completed their jobs. At the moment there are various projects which are still ongoing.”

The projects that have started but are yet to be completed include water, livestock, agriculture and procurement of drugs and medical equipment.

“Our policy is to ensure that projects are completed and done as per our standards and requirements before we release funds to contractors,” he said.

In Lamu, the county secretary, Mr Ibrahim Siyat, acknowledged that indeed, there was more than Sh200 million for development, which was still unspent because the projects for which the money is meant are yet to be completed.

He said the county had rolled out over 20 development projects. These include the construction of the county’s headquarters in Lamu at a cost of more than Sh200 million, construction of 16 nursery schools at a cost more than Sh30 million as well as planning of villages.

“When the projects are completed, we will make payments to the concerned contractors,” he said.