Sh800 Million Wasted on Stalled Kiambu Hospitals, Auditor General Says

The report by Nancy Gathungu casts a shadow over the administrations of former Kiambu Governors Ferdinand Waititu and James Nyoro, highlighting their failures to deliver on crucial healthcare projects.

The audit specifically mentions stalled projects at Bibirioni Level 4 Hospital, Tigoni Hospital, Lari Level 4 Hospital, and Ruiru Level 4 Hospital, some of which were initiated in 2015 by Governor William Kabogo.

While Governor Kimani Wamatangi has since revived these projects and is nearing completion after addressing outstanding bills and renegotiating contracts, the Auditor General’s report raises serious concerns about the financial mismanagement that led to these delays.

The audit points out that the Nyoro administration, in particular, failed to complete projects despite receiving significant funding. For instance, the 200-bed Bibirioni Level 4 Hospital, whose construction was launched in 2018 with a Sh285 million budget, remained only 70% complete by the time of the audit.

The project was initially expected to be finished in 2020 but had already exceeded its allotted timeframe by a significant margin without proper authorization.

Similarly, the construction of a medical ward block at Tigoni Hospital, initiated by Governor Kabogo in 2015, also fell behind schedule with no documented extension granted for the project.

The Auditor General’s report serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and transparency in managing public funds. The wasted millions on these stalled projects could have significantly improved healthcare access for Kiambu residents.