- Works on the tunnel began in May 2012 and entailed development of a river abstraction and water intake structures
- The project, which also included an underground tunnel of 11.7 kilometres, was to be completed by December 30, 2020
Image: FILE
The Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has flagged the slow pace of works on the Sh9 billion Northern Collector Tunnel.
Gathungu said the construction of the project is behind schedule. It could not be confirmed when works was likely to be completed, she said.
Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki toured the project on February 17 and announced it would be commissioned mid this year.
Works on the tunnel began in May 2012 and entailed development of a river abstraction and water intake structures.
The project, which also included an underground tunnel of 11.7 kilometres, was to be completed by December 30, 2020.
A flagship project embraced President Uhuru Kenyatta, it was meant to boost water supplies to the capital, Nairobi.
The auditor observed that as of November, approximately 75 per cent of the permanent works had been completed, including 100 per cent excavation.
Works on a tunnel secondary lining was 44 per cent complete while surface structures— intakes and outfall structure—were at 60 per cent.
“There was slow progress at the tunnel which had affected the projected delivery timelines,” the auditor said in a review of accounts of Athi Water Works Development Authority for the year to June 30, 2019.
“Consequently, it was not confirmed whether the project objectives will be realised as envisaged,” Gathungu said.
The Northern Collector Tunnel was a subject of political discourse ahead of the 2017 General Election when ODM leader Raila Odinga raised concerns about the works.
The Opposition leader warned that the project would cause adverse effects to the environment, citing destruction of water reservoirs in Murang’a.
It comprises the Kigoro water treatment plant as well as laying raw and treated water transmission pipelines.
Athi Water Works Development Agency was also to modify water distribution networks for Nairobi through laying of water transmission.
The auditor has further raised queries on over-expenditure amounting to Sh1.8 billion at the water agency.
Athi Water Works management did not explain how the expenditure, which was capped at Sh758 million, jumped to Sh2.6 billion—238 per cent of the budget—and a shortfall of Sh98 million in the projected revenue.
The auditor said the underfunding and expenditure may affect the planned activities and impact negatively on service delivery to the public.
“Consequently, the validity of the expenditure could not be confirmed,” Gathungu said, further flagging some unpaid Sh21.9 pending bills.
She said management has not explained why the bills were not settled during the year they occurred warning that the project was at the risk of incurring significant interest costs and penalties.
The auditor also queried incomplete works at various community projects namely Ichichi, Kiruri, and Makomboki community water supplies.
The projects commenced in August 2017 at Sh305 million and has stretched the extended deadline of September 2020.
A site visit revealed that pipes had been laid at Kiruri and Ichichi water sites but construction of river intake in the forest was still ongoing.
The construction of a 10-kilometre access road from the forest edge to the intake had been partially done.
“It was not possible to confirm whether the project will be completed considering the contract period had expired,” the auditor said.
-Edited by Sarah Kanyara