The government has issued a strong warning to underperforming contractors who risk being blacklisted for stalling public projects. Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, cautioned that some contractors are taking on more projects than they can handle, compromising service delivery and misusing public funds.
Speaking during a week-long project inspection tour in Kisii and Nyamira counties, Owalo expressed concern over a growing trend of contractors aggressively bidding for multiple tenders and quoting low prices, only to underdeliver due to limited technical capacity.
“We will not allow public resources to be tied up in non-performing contracts. Any contractor who consistently underdelivers will be recommended for blacklisting,” said Owalo.
The inspection team, comprising officers from the Government Delivery Unit, engineers, county administrators, and security officials, reviewed the progress of infrastructure and service delivery projects on the ground. Among the key projects inspected was the Kisii By-Pass Phase II, currently 32% complete, and the Nyaribari Masaba and Nyanchwa Affordable Housing Projects, which stand at 13% and 21% respectively.
In Nyamira, attention was drawn to the 60.1km Borabu Roads upgrade, only 16.9% complete since its launch in August 2024, and the Nyansiongo Modern Market, nearly completed at 98%. Other projects included the Kisii University lecture theatre (94% complete), the Keroka Level IV Hospital inpatient block (98%), and multiple road and school infrastructure projects valued at billions of shillings.
Owalo stressed the importance of aligning official records with actual progress on the ground, noting discrepancies in some contractor reports. The inspection of the Nyamira County Aggregation and Industrial Park, now at 30% completion, highlighted ongoing recovery after weather-related delays.
This oversight effort underscores the government’s drive to ensure efficient and transparent implementation of public projects. By holding contractors accountable, the administration aims to restore public trust and deliver tangible development outcomes across the country.
