The Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, has raised concerns over the prolonged delays and escalating costs of various government projects, citing the decades-long construction of Mitihani House as a glaring example. Despite consuming Ksh 2.8 billion since its inception in September 1985, the project is only 60% complete.
An analysis by the State Department for Basic Education revealed significant mismatches between project completion percentages and their expected timelines. Mitihani House is emblematic of this inefficiency, with the CoB urging fast-tracking of multi-year projects lagging behind schedule.
Higher Education Projects Lagging
The State Department for Higher Education and Research was also flagged for similar inefficiencies:
Technical University of Kenya (TUK): Construction of Administration and Tuition Block (commenced in 2025): 32% complete.
Another Administration and Tuition Block (commenced July 2017): 49% complete.
University of Nairobi: Completion of Pharmacy Building – CHS Phase I (commenced in 2023, Ksh 150 million): 67% complete.
Egerton University: Establishment of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotech (commenced in 2023, Ksh 5.5 billion): 20% complete.
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT): College of Engineering – Tuition Block (commenced in 2017, Ksh 530 million): 49% complete.
Gatundu University College: Administration Block and Lecture Theatre (commenced in 2017, Ksh 1.45 billion): 24% complete.
The CoB recommends urgent measures to fast-track these projects and align their completion rates with set timelines.
Vocational Training Projects Struggle to Deliver
Projects under the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training also showed concerning trends:
GoK-AfDB TVET Phase II Project:
Commenced in 2015, Ksh 6.4 billion, 88% complete.
East Africa Skills Transformation and Regional Integration Project:
Commenced in 2020, Ksh 3.5 billion, 78% complete.
GoK-AfDB TVET Phase II:
Commenced in 2021, Ksh 1.2 billion, 28% complete.
Promotion of Youth Employment and Vocational Training:
Phase I (commenced in 2021, Ksh 752.78 million): 27% complete.
Phase II (commenced in 2022, Ksh 63.15 million): 4% complete.
The CoB emphasized the need for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to accelerate the implementation of projects with low completion rates nearing their deadlines.
Call for Accountability and Reforms
The findings have prompted calls for greater accountability in government project management, with stakeholders urging stricter oversight, adherence to timelines, and prioritization of stalled projects.
These delays and cost overruns highlight inefficiencies in public project implementation, raising concerns about resource allocation and utilization. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring value for money and achieving the intended socio-economic benefits of these initiatives.
