Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, has issued a stern warning to politicians and contractors interfering with public projects. He cautioned that those engaging in irregular procurement, stalled works, or misuse of public funds will be blacklisted, prosecuted, and barred from future government tenders.
Speaking during an inspection tour of national government projects in Trans Nzoia and West Pokot counties, Owalo condemned the growing trend of politicians posing as contractors to influence tender awards. He described the practice as “dangerous and unacceptable,” emphasizing that it undermines efficiency and transparency in service delivery.
“If you are a politician, stick to politics. If you want to be in the private sector, go to the private sector. You cannot have your cake and eat it,” Owalo said.
Owalo noted that some contractors lacking technical capacity often win bids with low quotations, only to delay or abandon projects midway. He directed implementing agencies to strengthen due diligence and technical evaluations to ensure only qualified contractors are awarded tenders.
He further warned that the government would recover funds from incomplete projects where payments had already been made, reiterating that public money must be accounted for.
“The government does not have its own money. These are public funds held in trust on behalf of citizens. No public money will be lost in the execution of national government projects,” he said.
During the visit, Owalo’s team inspected the Siyoi-Muruny Dam in Pokot South Subcounty, a Sh9.7 billion project by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority. The dam is expected to supply piped water to over 350,000 residents by 2035.
They also assessed the Kapenguria–Makutano Sewerage Project, implemented by the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency at a cost of Sh722.1 million, which aims to expand sanitation access to hundreds of households in West Pokot.
