A Community-Based Organization (CBO) has written to Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga requesting details on the expenditure and approval processes for water projects, as well as the ward-based allocation of Sh1.06 billion for the 2023/24 Financial Year.
In a letter dated 15th July 2024, copied to County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Mr. Solomon Obiero, the CBO, Interface Community Help Desk, raised concerns over the allocation and spending of funds in the departments of Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Energy, Forestry, and Climate Change.
Signed by the organization’s Chairman, Mr. Evince Oloo Gor, and member Mr. Eugine Obiasa, the letter alleged that the department has been spending Sh140 million on projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Program (FLLOCA), which were not approved by the County Assembly.
Gor claimed that during Public Participation, Sh1.06 billion was approved for ward-based projects in supplementary budget 1, but the allocations were altered in supplementary budget 2 without the required public participation.
The CBO questioned the expenditure of Sh37.5 million on the Sindo Community Water project in Kaksingri West Ward, costing Sh20 million, and the Kanyaluo-Tende Community Water Project in Kanyaluo Ward, which cost Sh17.5 million.
“It has come to our attention that Sh177.5 million has been spent on drilling and equipping boreholes with solar-powered pumps in various wards, costing Sh3.5 million per ward under FLLOCA or the climate change fund,” they claimed.
“Additionally, flagship projects like the rehabilitation of the Sindo Community Water project for Sh20 million and the Kanyaluo-Tende Water Project for Sh17.5 million total Sh177.5 million,” they said.
“We are concerned that all these expenditures were made without proper approval from the Homa Bay County Assembly, raising transparency and accountability concerns,” they added.
Regarding ward-based allocations, the CBO accused the department of making budgetary changes without public participation.
They further claimed that Sh2M from Education, Sh1M from Agriculture, Sh3.5M from Water, and Sh1M from Energy amounting to Sh300M were removed from ward allocations without public input.
The organization has requested a detailed explanation of why Sh177.5 million was spent without County Assembly approval.
They also seek clarification on why changes to ward-based allocations were made without conducting the required public participation.
The CBO demands that the County Government provide bills of quantity for all water projects and proof that procurement processes followed the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act.
They also requested a list of successful bidders, copies of regret letters for unsuccessful bidders, and reasons for rejection.
The organization further wants proof that tenders were advertised on the Public Procurement Information Portal, in widely circulated newspapers, and on the Homa Bay County website.
They additionally seek evidence that 30% of the 40 water FLLOCA projects were awarded to disadvantaged groups, as required by the Procurement and Assets Disposal Act.
The CBO also seeks clarification on the allocation of Sh300M for development projects.
“We expect a prompt and detailed response to ensure transparency and proper utilization of public funds. Failure to provide this information will force us to pursue further interventions, including legal action, to ensure accountability,” they stated.
Attempts to reach the Governor and Mr. Obiero for comments were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to our text messages.
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