Homa Bay County has been put on the spot for incomplete multimillion projects launched by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in 2023.
In the Auditor General's Report on the County Governments County Executive 2022/2023, AOG Nancy Gathungu revealed that sections of the Kigoto Maize Milling Plant and the Homa Bay County Stadium were still incomplete.
Per the report, Ksh369 million was spent on the stadium now named Raila Odinga Stadium but the parking lot was still incomplete as well as the fence.
Additionally, other incomplete sections where the gates were yet to be installed, equipping the stadium pavilion with PVC chairs and also completion of mechanical and electrical works in the pavilion and playing surface.
"Field inspection in the month of August 2023 revealed that although the facility had been launched to the public for use and branded, the aforementioned unsatisfactory matters were noted," read part of the report.
The former Prime Minister opened the stadium in July 2023 despite the project being launched in 2014. It has stalled for over a decade and President William Ruto, while on tour in the county, promised to ensure its completion.
The stadium has a capacity of 20,000 people and is oval. It is expected to host both local and international sporting events.
On the other hand, at the Kigoto Maize Milling Plant, the changing rooms, generator room and fencing were still incomplete. This raised questions as to how money was spent.
Per the report, Ksh4.7 million was paid to a contractor for the fencing and construction of a gate at the milling plant.
However, despite public funds being spent, the Auditor General, during a physical inspection of the establishment, revealed that these two were incomplete and the contractor was not on site.
"The other infrastructure and civil works expenditure includes Ksh4,979,700 paid to a contractor for the construction of sentry house, changing rooms, generator room and general repairs," read part of the report.
Gathungu noted that inspection at the milling plant exposed the incomplete sectors which have cost taxpayers millions.
Raila in November 2022 launched the milling plant with a capacity to process up to 30 tonnes of maize a day. Mokwa maize flour is produced at the plant offering Kenyans an affordable option.
