Governors in a hurry to complete legacy projects
Governor Jackson Mandago during the launch of Noreb’s Notifiable and Transboundary Animal Disease Control Policy 2021 at Boma Inn Hotel, Eldoret on November 19, 2021.
What you need to know:
- In Uasin Gishu County, Governor Jackson Mandago has maintained that he will complete all projects he initiated as he eyes the Senate seat.
- In Elgeyo Marakwet County, Governor Alex Tolgos faces an uphill task after the County Assembly rejected construction of the Sh56 million governor’s official residence.
Second-term governors in the North Rift region are racing against time to complete multimillion-shilling projects as part of their legacy, with less than one year to the general election.
The administrators, who are serving their last term, want to compete projects they started, to leave clean sheets for their successors as they either eye other elective positions or take up different roles after the 2022 polls.
In Trans Nzoia County, Governor Patrick Khaemba has a full tray in the Sh1.4 billion Trans Nzoia Teaching and Referral Hospital to boost delivery of quality health services and the ultra-modern Sh849 modern business bark, among other pending projects.
The delayed completion of the referral hospital has been attributed to cash flow challenges, legal suits and claims of embezzlement of funds meant for the 400-bed capacity facility.
The project, which was to be implemented in two phases, experienced a cumulative delay of two years.
“We pumped an estimated Sh688 million into the first phase and an additional Sh733 million in phase two, with about Sh608 million going to non-medical equipment,” Mr Khaemba explained.
The facility will have 10 operating theatres, 40 ICU beds, MRI and a complete suite of diagnostic equipment, modern laboratory, accident and emergency section, two linear accelerators for radiotherapy services, 15 renal beds, five bed burns unit, catheter laboratory, among others.
The devolved unit is racing against time to complete the Sh849 million modern business park to accommodate 5,000 businesspeople and enhance revenue collection to Sh300 million annually.
The facility will have two blocks: a four-storey building on the upper side and a five-storey building on the lower side.
“The facility is expected to be complete in the next few months and will resolve the challenge of congestion in the old market, apart from boosting our revenue generation,” said Simon Kisegei, Chief Executive in charge of Trade, Commerce and Industry.
In Uasin Gishu County, Governor Jackson Mandago has maintained that he will complete all projects he initiated as he eyes the Senate seat.
The projects are in health, trade and infrastructure, among others, which will form part of his legacy.
“I am working with the MCAs to ensure that all pending projects are completed before I leave office to facilitate smooth transition,” said Mr Mandago.
He has declared his interest in the Senate position in the crowded field mainly from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) that enjoys fanatical support in the region.
In Elgeyo Marakwet County, Governor Alex Tolgos faces an uphill task after the County Assembly rejected construction of the Sh56 million governor’s official residence.
The construction of the residence at Kamariny Stadium was abandoned six years ago, despite the devolved unit having spent Sh13.8 million.
