A community-based organization, The Interface Community Help Desk, has formally contacted Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, seeking clarification on the spending and approval processes for water projects, as well as the allocation of Ksh 1.06 billion for the 2023/24 financial year.
In a letter addressed to both the governor and the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, the organization expressed serious concerns regarding fund allocation and expenditures in the departments of Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Energy, Forestry, and Climate Change. The letter, signed by Chairman Evance Oloo Gor and member Eugine Obiasa, alleges that Ksh 140 million has been spent on projects under the FLLoCA initiative without approval from the County Assembly.
The organization highlights discrepancies in the budget allocations made during public participation. They note that Ksh 1.06 million was designated for ward-based projects in Supplementary Budget 1, yet these allocations were altered in Supplementary Budget 2 without further public input, which they argue violates legal requirements.
Additionally, the letter questions the expenditure of Ksh 37.5 million on two community water projects: Ksh 20 million for the Sindo Community Water Project in Kaksingri West Ward and Ksh 17.5 million for the Kanyaluo-Tende Community Water Project in Kanyaluo Ward. The organization asserts that the department has spent Ksh 177.5 million on drilling and equipping boreholes with solar-powered pumps across various wards, funded through FLLoCA and other flagship projects.
The CBO expressed concerns about these expenditures, which they claim were conducted without the necessary County Assembly approval, raising significant issues of transparency and accountability regarding public funds.
Regarding ward-based allocations, the organization alleges that the department made budget changes without public involvement, including cuts of Ksh 2 million to education, Ksh 1 million to agriculture, Ksh 3.5 million to water, and Ksh 1 million to energy. These cuts total Ksh 300 million across 40 wards and were implemented without public input.
The organization is demanding a detailed explanation for the Ksh 177.5 million spent without County Assembly approval and the reasons behind changes to ward-based allocations that lacked further public participation. Furthermore, the CBO requests that the County Government provide Bills of Quantities for all water projects, demonstrate that the procurement process complied with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, and furnish a list of successful bidders along with regret letters for unsuccessful bidders, including reasons for rejection.
They also seek proof that tenders were advertised on the Public Procurement Information Portal, in widely circulated newspapers, and on the Homa Bay County website. Additionally, they require evidence that 30% of the 40 FLLoCA water projects were awarded to disadvantaged groups as mandated by law.
Finally, the organization asks for clarification on the appropriation of the Ksh 300 million development funds. The CBO insists on a prompt and comprehensive response to their inquiries to ensure transparency and proper use of public funds. They warn that failure to provide this information will compel them to seek further interventions from relevant authorities and pursue legal action to ensure accountability.
