Kericho: Contractors handling national government projects in Kericho County have been formally put on notice after a high-level inspection revealed gaps in capacity, compliance, and project delivery. The caution comes after the Government Delivery Unit reinforced its commitment to safeguard public investments through strict monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
According to Kenya News Agency, this warning was issued during a comprehensive day-long tour across the county in which the team assessed progress on key infrastructure initiatives including the Kapkatet Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) market, Kerenga Airstrip, and the upgrade to bitumen standards of roads in Belgut Sub-County, as well as the Majengo Talai Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) in Kericho Town.
Speaking at the Majengo-Talai Affordable Housing Project in Kericho Town after leading inspections of all government-funded sites, Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency Mr. Eliud Owalo emphasized that the government cannot allow taxpayer-financed projects to stall or underperform, as development is central to Kenya’s long-term growth agenda. He noted that some contractors bid for multiple projects using different company names despite lacking adequate machinery, skilled personnel, and financial capacity, which delays implementation and disrupts development timelines.
Mr. Owalo urged all procuring entities to conduct thorough due diligence and cautioned contractors that non-performance, diversion of resources, and failure to honor meetings will attract blacklisting. The inspection mission, undertaken jointly with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) led by County Commissioner Mr. Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru, included engineers, planners, and technical experts from implementing agencies to ensure a unified assessment of each project’s status.
At the Majengo-Talai site, they reviewed the detailed implementation plan of the 322-unit Sh778.2 million housing development under the Affordable Housing Programme, which is a cornerstone of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The project aims to expand home ownership, create jobs, and improve settlement conditions, currently at 42 percent completion and expected to finish within five months.
Owalo highlighted that the project has created jobs for 137 local youth and attracted participation from Jua Kali artisans, local suppliers, and youth groups, providing essential inputs that strengthen community ownership. The team also inspected the Kapkatet ESP Market, a Sh162.1 million modern trading hub at 71 percent completion, designed to uplift small-scale traders with dignified stalls, business spaces, and essential amenities.
At the Sh192 million Kerenga Airstrip in Kapsuser, Belgut Sub-County, Mr. Owalo noted that its runway, scheduled for completion by November 2026, will enhance passenger and cargo movement, boost tourism, and support agricultural logistics. The government also evaluated the roads in Belgut Constituency, upgraded to bitumen standards at a cost of Sh906 million, now at 99 percent completion, with works set for official commissioning.
Additionally, the team reviewed the 42-kilometre Chebirirbei-Momul-Sosiot-Kiplamat road, a transformative corridor connecting Belgut and Soin-Sigowet constituencies, implemented by KeRRA at a cost of Sh3 billion and currently at 10 percent progress, expected to complete in 2028. The project is set to enhance inter-county connectivity and unlock new economic opportunities.
Other government officials present included County Director of Housing Ms. Annabel Wangari, representatives from the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), other county stakeholders, and officers from the Government Delivery Unit.