Busia is losing Sh720 million revenue annually due to failure to operationalise trailer park infrastructure in the border county, senators have said.
The development comes as the Senate commences investigations into the continued failure to set up the revenue-raking project.
Despite its potential to host a regional trailer hub that could ease congestion as well as generate revenue, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah questioned why Governor Paul Otuoma administration is slow in implementing the Mundika and Malaba trailer parks.
This is despite a 200-acre public parcel at Ngelechom, strategically positioned between Busia and Malaba and right on the border with Uganda, remaining idle.
The lawmaker claimed that the two critical projects remain stalled with little progress and no clear completion timelines despite allocation in the budget.
Mr Omtatah argued that the situation worsened after the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) took over the only functioning park during the one-stop border post construction but failed to provide a replacement.
“The continued inaction undermines transport efficiency, public safety and Kenya's commitments under regional trade corridors,” said Mr Omatatah.
The first term senator has called on the Senate Roads and Transport committee to establish the total cumulative budget allocation for the Mundika and Malaba trailer park projects since inception, and verify how much has been disbursed and spent, including specific activities.
"The One-stop border post has literally killed businesses because Busia is a border town, one area we used to make a lot of money was in clearing and forwarding,” said Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
The Roads committee should also obtain and review procurement records, contracts, variation orders and payment vouchers related to the stalled projects, and report on the actual physical works completed, supported by the latest engineers' progress reports and dated photographic evidence.
In addition, the committee should also establish the rationale for pursuing the construction of two separate trailer parks and whether a feasibility or cost-benefit analysis was conducted comparing this approach to a single regional facility.
“The committee should establish the impact of stalled implementation on Kenya's obligations under the East African Community (EAC) Transport Corridor Agreements and whether there is viable financial options, including county budget, Public-Private Partnerships or donor support for establishing a regional trailer park at Ng’elechom,” said Mr Omtatah.
The senator is also questioning whether an environmental and social impact assessment has been conducted for the Ngelechom site and provides an estimate of the capital cost required and the reasons why Kenha has not fulfilled its commitment to construct a replacement trailer park for the one it took over.
Apart from the trailer park project, senators will also look into other stalled projects in the county government.
One of the projects is the stalled Busia Stadium that was earmarked as a flagship project under the department of Sports, Culture and Social Services at a budget of Sh600 million.
Mr Omtatah said the project stalled after initial groundbreaking and has shown no progress for years, despite its prominence.
The Migori Senator Eddy Oketch-led committee to establish how the Sh600 million budgeted for the project was allocated and released.
“The committee should indicate the specific financial years and obtain a detailed expenditure breakdown supported by certified payment certificates or audited statements,” said Mr Omtatah.
According to the lawmaker, the committee should establish the percentage of work completed, whether an independent technical audit or an engineer's assessment has been conducted to ascertain the same and identify the factors that led to the project stalling
It should also establish the current financial liability tied to the project, including any cost variations, reallocations or supplemental budgets and identify the approving authorities and their stated justifications.
In addition, the committee to obtain documentation on all contractors, consultants and project managers engaged, including signed contracts, performance bonds, insurance details and verify whether the procurement process complied with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
Additionally, the panel should investigate why subsequent annual development plans failed to allocate funds or report progress on the project, despite its flagship status, while also determining whether the county assembly conducted site visits or demanded implementation reports.
“They should identify any legal or disciplinary actions taken against non-performing contractors or negligent officials and obtain relevant documentation to support such actions and confirm whether a revised completion plan exists, including updated timelines, budget allocations and funding sources and assess its feasibility.”
Following anti-government protests in 2023, the original stadium was vandalised, and its perimeter wall torn down.
In the past, Governor Otuoma's administration proposed relocating the stadium to utilise the prime location for expanding the Busia County Referral Hospital.
