CS Joho threatens to blacklist contractor from any gov't project over Ksh.151M project

While addressing the residents, the CS explained that he had received complaints from the residents of the stalled project and the workers facing salary delays. 

He argued that the contractor should be held liable for the project delay despite the government disbursing Ksh.151 million for the project. 

Joho instructed PS Betsy Njagi to blacklist the contractor should he fail to complete the project within the allocated time. 

"The government has already dispatched Ksh.151 million for the project. Where is the contractor? These people have told me you have not hired residents from this county," he warned. 

"They've also told me you don't pay them on time. We agree that you must rectify that immediately. Also, you must finish this project within 8 months and if not, he should be blacklisted from any government project."

The CS explained that government officials must take responsibility for any lacklustre performance in the respective ministries. 

"The government has given out the funds and the residents complain that work is not being done and yet it is the contractor sleeping on the job... Every county commissioner must take responsibility to ensure they protect these important minerals that belong to the people of Kenya," he added. 

CS Joho also weighed on the incident involving three Kenyan fishermen arrested in Madagascar for illegal fishing of sharks.

A post from the Madagascan Ministry of Fisheries indicated that the three men did not have a fishing licence to fish in the sea of Madagascar. 

Joho warned officials in his ministry of complacency, wondering why he had to learn of the incident through the media. 

"Recently, I was shocked to learn that Kenyans from the coast region were detained in Madagascar. I told these government officials to stop sleeping on the job. They should have informed me earlier instead of having to learn of the incident through the newspapers. I have made arrangements for them to come back," Joho stated. 

"I am a Cabinet Secretary and it's easy to call another CS from another country but some people want to make it hard for us, I will not allow it.  In this Ministry, work must be done.

You find some people sitting in their offices with air conditions and just watching TV while things are lagging," Joho pointed out. 

Earlier in the year, the government disbursed Ksh.1.4 billion to construct fish landing sites in coastal counties to create job opportunities, improve aquaculture and enhance value addition.

The landing sites will also contain cold storage facilities to deter fishermen from selling their produce at throwaway prices.

The sites will also be equipped with CCTVs, floodlights and security monitoring rooms to enhance security.