Members of the Bomet County Assembly (MCAs) have slashed Sh96.6 million from the budget meant for completing their new chambers, despite approving the 2025/2026 budget estimates.
As a result, several key components such as the installation of lifts, construction of cafeteria sheds, paving of the parking bay, building a perimeter wall, access roads, a clock tower, a health club and purchase of air conditioners have all been put on hold.
This comes even as the Assembly leadership seeks to have President William Ruto officially open the new chambers built at a cost of Sh473.4 million during his planned tour of the county next month.
Bomet County Assembly Chambers, that is under construction for Sh 473.4 million in this photo taken on July 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai| Nation Media Group
“The Assembly has officially engaged State House with a proposal to have the President as the chief guest during the opening of the new chambers. We are awaiting official communication,” said Speaker Cosmas Korir.
Governor Hillary Barchok is expected to sign the Finance Bill 2025/2026 into law on Monday after it was passed by the MCAs last Thursday.
“The Assembly passed the 2025/2026 budget estimates with amendments to various proposed vote heads,” said Eric Kirui, Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Of the Sh798 million allocated to the Assembly, the MCAs removed Sh64.3 million originally intended for the construction of a health club, cafeteria sheds, a new entrance and a boundary wall.
Another Sh13 million earmarked for the construction of access roads and a VIP entrance with cabro was also scrapped.
Additionally, Sh9.5 million set aside for repair and maintenance of non-residential buildings such as offices, Hansard rooms and lifts was deleted from the approved budget.
Plans to build a Sh1.8 million clock tower and spend Sh6 million on air conditioners, fans and other equipment were also shelved. Another Sh2 million meant for office equipment (including a crèche) was cut as well.
Bomet County Assembly Chambers, that is under construction for Sh 473.4 million in this photo taken on July 13, 2025.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai| Nation Media Group
An unspecified amount meant for building a perimeter wall at the Speaker’s official residence was among those removed.
The MCAs also removed Sh25 million for the purchase of office furniture and fittings, Sh18.5 million for ICT networking and equipment, access control, digital dashboards and monitoring/evaluation systems and Sh38.5 million for specialized plant equipment and solarisation.
Meanwhile, Sh10 million was allocated for the ongoing construction of the Speaker’s residence.
The MCAs allocated themselves Sh63.2 million for domestic travel, following the scrapping of the Ward Imprest facility by the Controller of Budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. They also allocated Sh23.5 million for foreign accommodation and Sh8.4 million for air and bus travel.
The Controller of Budget abolished the Ward Imprest facility, citing constitutional violations, especially regarding the separation of powers between the executive and legislature in devolved units.
In the 2024/2025 audit report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu raised concerns over delays in completing the Assembly chambers and noted irregularities in the implementation of contract works.
Ms Gathungu revealed that Sh473,477,177 was allocated for the construction of the chambers on March 19, 2020, with a project delivery deadline of April 14, 2023 (160 weeks).
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
By the time of the audit, Sh444,499,327 (94percent) had already been paid to the contractor. However, 16 months past the delivery deadline, the project remained incomplete.
Works such as installation and commissioning of lifts, interior design, and decoration of the debating chambers valued at Sh32.8 million were still pending, as of a physical audit conducted on September 5, 2024.
Separately, the construction of a gatehouse and perimeter wall budgeted at Sh26,615,540 was to be completed by November 1, 2023. Yet, by September 2024, 11 months later, the project was still incomplete and the contractor was not on site. Only Sh15,176,129 had been paid by that point.
“The length of the perimeter wall was not specified in the Bill of Quantities, limiting the ability to assess the scope of works,” the Auditor General observed.
Although the Assembly issued a notice of intent to terminate the contract due to unsatisfactory work, it had not sought a legal opinion from the Attorney General, a requirement in such cases.
