Nairobi: Deputy Chief of Staff for Delivery and Government Efficiency in the Executive Office of the President, Eliud Owalo, toured West Pokot County for a series of project inspections and stakeholder engagements in Kipkomo, Pokot South, and West Pokot sub-counties. The visit was part of the government’s efforts to assess, verify, and fast-track the delivery of key national projects under the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff responsible for Delivery and Government Efficiency.
According to Kenya News Agency, Owalo was accompanied by County Commissioner Abdullahi Khalif, officials from the County Government of West Pokot led by the County Secretary, and representatives from several government implementation agencies, including the Kenya National Highways Authority. The team began their tour at the Muruny-Siyoi Dam in Pokot South, a flagship project implemented by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority at a total cost of Sh9.7 billion.
Owalo explained that the project comprises two components, including lot one of the dam construction at the cost of Sh5.6 billion and lot two of the water supply project at the cost of Sh4.1 billion. He disclosed that the Muruny-Siyoi water project commenced on March 30, 2015, with an expected completion date of September 30, 2025. However, he said financial challenges have delayed progress. Owalo assured that the government is working to ensure additional funding is allocated and disbursed promptly to enable the contractor to resume work.
He said once completed, the dam will supply piped water to approximately 350,000 residents in West Pokot County, significantly improving livelihoods and creating jobs. He added that the contractor has pledged to re-mobilize once an initial disbursement of Sh600 million is received, aiming to complete the project by May 2026.
At Ortum town, Owalo inspected the Economic Stimulation Programme (ESP) Market Project, which is being implemented at a cost of Sh58.3 million. The project, which began on April 18, 2024, was expected to be completed by October 18, 2024, but it is currently behind schedule. Owalo expressed concern over the contractor’s failure to return to the site despite recent payments and directed that a status report be submitted within a week. He warned that failure to mobilize would lead to contract termination and possible blacklisting of the contractor.
He emphasized that ESP markets played a vital role in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by improving trading conditions for women in small-scale businesses through modern facilities, including stalls, water, sanitation, and ICT infrastructure. Owalo raised alarm over the growing trend of contractors lacking technical capacity yet securing multiple government projects through underquoting. He warned that such contractors risked being blacklisted and debarred from future tenders if they failed to deliver despite receiving payments.
He also cautioned against political interference in public procurement, stressing that elected leaders should not act as contractors or influence the award of contracts. ‘You cannot have your cake and eat it too. Politicians must choose whether to engage in politics or private contracting, not both,’ he said.
Owalo reiterated that public funds are a trust, and the government will not tolerate mismanagement or diversion of project finances. He added that the state would pursue recovery and legal action against individuals responsible for stalled projects where payments have been made.
At the Kapenguria sewerage project, Owalo called for enhanced coordination among implementing agencies to ensure timely completion and efficient use of public resources. He also highlighted the clinker factory being developed in the region under the facilitation of the Ministry of Trade, emphasizing its potential to boost industrial output and regional trade.
Owalo noted the strategic importance of the Kitale-West Pokot-South Sudan Road, which would improve the transport of raw materials and finished goods, opening the region to broader economic opportunities. Owalo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to efficient, transparent, and timely delivery of public projects across the country. ‘Government money is public money held in trust for the people. We will not allow wastage, delay, or inefficiency to derail national development,’ he said.
In his remarks, former West Pokot Governor Prof. John Lonyangapuo, who chairs the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, commended the government’s oversight efforts and underscored the need for visible progress on Muruny-Siyoi Dam. He welcomed the delegation, describing West Pokot as a ‘county of hidden treasures’, and urged county leaders to support ongoing projects, including the upgrading of the Kenya-South Sudan link road. Lonyangapuo called for local labour inclusion in major projects, encouraging contractors to integrate youth and community members into ongoing works and implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to ensure local benefit.