Sakaja denies zero expenditure claims, says Nairobi spent Ksh.844M on development

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja now says that the devolved unit's administration spent Ksh.844,184,929 on various development projects in the last five months.

His statement follows a report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o on Wednesday, in which she included Nairobi among a list of ten devolved units that spent nothing on development projects in the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, covering the period from July to September.

In a statement on Thursday, Sakaja highlighted that Nyakang’o's report overlooked a key issue: counties, including Nairobi, did not receive any exchequer releases from the National Treasury in the first two months of the fiscal year. The first disbursement, Sakaja says, was only made on September 23, 2024.

"Despite these challenges, Nairobi County successfully relied on its own-source revenue to take care of operations and maintenance as well as salaries and personnel costs," he said in the statement.

"In the last 5 months, the county has spent Ksh.844,184,929 towards various development projects, including markets, sports facilities, roads, solid waste management, and emergency services."

Sakaja also pointed out that the report only accounted for payments made, while development payments occur at different stages of project implementation, possibly alluding to why certain expenditures may not yet appear in the report, despite ongoing progress in development activities.

"It is important to note that the report is about payments made. Development payments are made at different stages of project implementation once contactors have raised certificates," he said.

Further, Sakaja broke down the expenditure of the sum he stated noting that Ksh.105,900,405 went towards the construction of Jujo Market (Ksh.26,157,120), Mutuini Market (Ksh.66,960,221) and the construction of a boundary wall, gate house and paving of parking at a safe house in Mji wa Huruma (12,783,064). The projects are all ongoing according to the Governor.

The Nairobi County boss further stated that Ksh.122,670,499.50 was allocated for the rehabilitation of sports facilities, including Mwiki Sports Ground (Ksh.27,163,913.80), Joe Kadenge Stadium (Ksh.42,002,619.80), and Woodley Stadium (Ksh.45,799,245.90), as well as the construction of a playground in Umoja 1 Ward (Ksh.7,704,720). The projects are still ongoing.

According to Sakaja, emergency services and infrastructure projects accounted for Ksh.428,408,030.60 during the period under review.

Of this amount, Ksh.18,960,000 was allocated for the supply of fire engines for the county, while Ksh.14,482,287.60 was spent on renovations at City Hall.

Additionally, Ksh.104,592,000 went towards public lighting and works projects, Ksh.216,600,000 was used for the purchase of solid waste equipment, Ksh.43,812,165 was allocated for partitioning offices at CBK Towers, and Ksh.30,024,578 was dedicated to the construction of Phase 1 of the Gikomba Fire Station. These projects have been completed, according to Sakaja.

The Governor further pointed out that Ksh.187,142,944.40 was disbursed for the rehabilitation and maintenance of various roads across the city.

He said Ksh.35,660,220 was allocated for the rehabilitation of Lot 14 roads in Eastleigh, including Malewa Road, 6th Street, 14th Street, and Kiambiu.

On the other hand, Ksh.4,342,109.10 was earmarked for the rehabilitation of Lot 8 roads in the Industrial Area, including Nairobi-Butere, Yarrow Road, Bunyalla Road, and Factory Road.

Additionally, Ksh.4,688,541.16 was disbursed for the rehabilitation of Lot 4 roads in the Industrial Area, including Dakar Road, Dunga Close, Athi River Road, and Shimo la Tewa Road.

According to Sakaja, a further Ksh.2,879,759 was disbursed for the rehabilitation of Lot 1 roads including Garage Road, Homabay Road, Workshop Road, Pate Road and Dar es Salaam Road.

The rehabilitation of Lot 13 roads in Eastleigh cost Ksh.3,743,854, while the revamping of additional roads in Eastleigh, including Nairobi Waudo, Muinami Road, Timoboroa Road, 2nd Avenue and 9th street collectively cost Ksh.39,205,697.