Kwale County speaks out on stalled projects after social media uproar

Addressing the press on Tuesday, county officials said the delays in the completion of the projects is as a result of delays in the disbursements of funds from the National Treasury.

Among the stalled projects are Kombani market, Kona-Musa-Mabokoni Road, and a fruit processing plant. 

County Executive Committee Members (CECs) led by Finance and Economic Planning (CECM) Bakari Sebe explained that they have projects that are done in a year and those that are done in phases. 

"The projects that are done in phases needs require a lot of resources and its aim is to stimulate development in the area,” Sebe added. 

He cited the Kwale Teachers Training College, Mwakalanga Dam, Kwale Stadium, the Oncology Centre and Facelift of Msambweni Referal Hospital among the projects done in phases and completed.

The CECM for Tourism and Enterprise Development, Michael Mutua refuted claims that the fruit processing plant has used Ksh.600 million.

“So far, we have spent only Ksh.206 million for Phase One and Two which are now completed and handed over to the government,” Mutua said.

Mutua added that the contractor's contract was terminated after it was discovered that he was doing a shoddy job.

On the issue of Kombani Wholesale Fresh Produce Market, Mutua said the market had been officially opened and traders started doing business.

He however said the problem came when the contractor moved to court to sue the county government claiming he was wronged.

“We received a court order stopping traders from doing business in the market and that's why we were forced to ask all business people out of the market,” he added.

The county officials further stated that Governor Fatuma Achani has been staying in her own residence since she took office, dismissing reports that the county pays her rent.

At the same time, Roads CECM Joto Mwachirumbi said that the construction of Kona-Musa-Mabokoni Road has been delayed due to the termination of the contract by the county after the contractor failed to deliver the work on time.

“The contractor felt dissatisfied with our decision to terminate the contract and he took the government to court but we are hoping to resolve the matter soon so that the 6km road is tarmacked,” he said.