Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s administration's lack of effective public participation in county projects is aiding corruption and poor public service delivery, a report indicates.
The National Taxpayers Association Nairobi County Citizens’ Report card for the financial year 2015-16 and 201-18 report says that most projects have stalled.
The NTA report adds that other projects have been poorly implemented in a clear scheme to 'swindle' taxpayers’ funds.
“The county should involve citizens at every stage of project implementation to enhance project effectiveness and ownership,” NTA National Coordinator Irene Otieno said.
Otieno was speaking on Thursday at a Nairobi hotel after launching the report.
“The report paints a grim picture on the status of implementation of projects and lack of public participation of citizens in the projects targeted,” she said.
The projects identified include rehabilitation of schools, construction of roads, modern markets, stalls and health facilities.
Other projects are the installation of street lights, construction of ward administrators’ offices and the construction of the education facilities among others.
“Citizens failed to identify themselves with the projects being implemented by the county government. The county should involve them at every stage of the project implementation to enhance the project effectiveness and ownership,” Otieno said.
“The county should also adopt the model of the project management committee to enhance citizen participation and civilian oversight. This will also make it easier to track project proposals, disbursement and expenditure.”
NTA wants the information on county projects availed at the lowest level possible for easy supervision and monitoring.
The association has also called on the county to ensure the value for money on projects implemented.
“The county government should improve the badly implemented projects and complete all stalled and abandoned projects. They should serve taxpayers,” the coordinator said.
The association also called for regular inspection of county government projects by national and county governments to protect the taxpayers' funds.
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