Questions over the cost and financing of the new Homa Bay County headquarters have resurfaced after Hon. Oyugi Magwanga accused Governor Gladys Wanga’s administration of mismanaging public funds during the construction of the facility.
Magwanga claimed in a recent interview that the project eventually reached a cost of about KSh 820 million, despite earlier estimates placing the expected cost between KSh 250 million and KSh 320 million.
He questioned how the cost increased so sharply and alleged that the project may have provided an opportunity for public funds to be siphoned from the county.
According to Magwanga, one of the concerns surrounding the construction was the alleged lack of proper bills of quantities before the work began.
He argued that without clear documentation showing the expected materials, labour and other construction costs, it became difficult to properly account for money spent on the project.
The headquarters, located in the Arujo area, was developed through a tenant purchase agreement involving the County Pension Fund.
Under the arrangement, Homa Bay County is expected to make payments amounting to roughly KSh 820 million over time before gaining full ownership of the building.
The facility was officially opened in 2025 and is already being used by the county government. It accommodates more than 1,000 government employees and has several facilities, including offices, an amphitheatre and a one-stop service centre.
The project was presented by the county government as a major investment aimed at bringing government departments together and improving service delivery.
County officials have previously defended the financing arrangement, saying it was entered into through a legal partnership with the County Pension Fund under existing infrastructure laws.
They have maintained that the agreement is not a conventional loan but a charge against county revenue.
Officials have also explained that negotiations brought down an even higher initial bid to the current figure of about KSh 820 million. However, questions about the final cost have continued, with Senate committees examining the financing arrangement and seeking clarification on whether special approvals were required and how the final amount was determined.
The dispute has also taken on a political dimension. Magwanga has expressed interest in contesting for the Homa Bay governor’s position in the 2027 General Election, placing him in direct political competition with Governor Wanga.
Their differences have become increasingly public, with both leaders taking different positions on matters affecting the county.
Magwanga’s latest claims have therefore added fresh attention to one of the county government’s biggest infrastructure projects. While he has raised questions about the cost and procurement process, the county government has defended the project and its financing.
For Homa Bay residents, the main issue remains whether the KSh 820 million commitment was properly justified and whether the public received value for the money involved.
Further clarification on the financial records, agreements and construction costs could help settle the questions surrounding the headquarters.
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