Busia: Local contractors in Busia County are under increased scrutiny following delays and failure to complete projects on time, resulting in a backlog of stalled and rolled-over developments. Residents have expressed growing frustration, accusing the county government of taking too long to complete projects meant to improve livelihoods, noting that they are yet to benefit from key public investments. In response, the county government has begun sourcing contractors from outside the region who have demonstrated the capacity to deliver within agreed timelines. Local contractors have been cautioned that they risk missing out on future opportunities if they fail to meet performance expectations.
According to Kenya News Agency, one of the affected projects is the Kakapel Cultural Centre in Teso North, which has stalled for several years. The contractor initially put up walls and installed roof beams before abandoning the site, leaving the facility incomplete. In December 2025, Governor Paul Otuoma terminated the contractor’s contract, citing poor performance and failure to meet agreed timelines. The governor warned that his administration would not tolerate inefficiency and would strictly enforce accountability across all county projects.
Speaking during a public participation forum on the 2026/2027 budget estimates held at the Centre, County Budget Officer William Chepkwony said a new contractor has been identified to complete the remaining works. He revealed that Majimbo Contractors Company from Kisumu has agreed to take over the project at a cost of Sh5 million. The funds have already been factored into the 2026/2027 financial year budget and are awaiting approval to enable the contractor to commence work.
Chepkwony urged local contractors to uphold professionalism and deliver quality work within set timelines, noting that while the county government is committed to empowering local businesses, service delivery to residents remains a top priority. “The county government has a duty to ensure projects are completed so that residents can benefit from them. If we are forced to outsource services because local contractors have failed to deliver, then we have done no wrong,” he said.
The county government has also proposed setting aside Sh600 million in the 2026/2027 financial year to clear pending bills owed to contractors. According to Chepkwony, Busia County owes contractors over Sh2.4 billion, as reported by the Auditor-General. He said some of the debts date back to 2017, adding that the county has put in place measures to ensure the outstanding payments are cleared in phases to ease the financial burden on contractors.
