Nyong’o orders contracts of delayed development projects cancelled

Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has ordered the termination of all contracts for delayed development projects in the county.

Nyong'o said such delayed development projects have resulted in pending bills because contractors were not ready to meet set deadlines.

He directed the departments to furnish the Treasury withe the list of projects earmarked for termination due to non-performance.

The governor also asked members of the County Executive Committee to update his office with detailed weekly reports on the implementation status of key development projects.

He said the reports must have accurate timelines for the completion of the projects and the cost, adding that this was meant to ensure 100 per cent completion of projects he promised in his manifesto.

During a meeting with the Executive committee members (CECMs) and Chief Officers at the Maseno Agricultural Training Center on Friday, Nyong’o also directed the County Treasury to pay all genuine pending bills as soon as possible.

Kisumu county has about Sh 1 billion in pending bills.

"The county Secretary has established a dashboard in his office through which he will be monitoring the real time status of development projects across the county," Nyong'o said.

He said the status reports will be shared with him to enable him make decisions on departments whose projects were running behind schedule.

“We all know why we are in government. From today, I expect weekly reports on projects, complete with Time Action plans. When a project funded by tax payers’ money takes too long to complete, then something must be wrong,” he added.

Nyong’o told the county ministers to plan well before executing key projects and follow procedures to avoid payment problems that result into pending bills.

“Pending bills are avoidable. We have pending bills because of the way we plan and implement projects. Let us consult before making decisions,” the governor noted.

During the meeting, also attended by his Deputy Dr Mathew Owili and County Secretary Hesbon Hongo, Nyong’o cautioned county ministers and chief officers against falling prey to some contractors seeking to compromise them.

“Don’t accept to be compromised by a contractors because when this happens and the contractor delivers a shoddy job, you will be part of the problem,” he said.

The governor directed the Executive Committee members to hold weekly meetings with their staff to discuss, among other things, how to fight corruption among staff.

At the same time, Nyong’o directed that alcoholic drinks should not be sold at the recently rehabilitated recreational parks within the city, including the Jaramogi Oginga Sports Complex and the Jamhuri Gardens.

“These parks should showcase Kisumu’s greening programme and allowing them host bar owners will erode this plan," he said.

The governor later toured the renovated facilities and the demonstration farms and praised the Department of Agriculture for rehabilitating it.

He directed departments to use it for meetings instead of incurring huge bills in hotels.

He said the centre will also host conferences from external groups.