At the entrance of Isiolo town along the Marsabit Isiolo highway, two major county projects stand facing each other not as symbols of development, but as reminders of neglect.
As one approaches the central business district, Isiolo Stadium stands on one side, while the Isiolo Modern Market sits opposite it. Both projects, once launched with pomp and optimism, now stand incomplete and deserted.
A rusty crane still looms over the abandoned multi-storey market structure, while bushes have taken over parts of the unfinished stadium terraces.
Six years ago, residents celebrated the launch of several multi-million-shilling projects, hopeful that Isiolo was on the path to transformation. Today, those hopes have faded as the stadium and market join a growing list of stalled or white-elephant developments that now define the town’s landscape.
Also on that list are the county headquarters and the County Assembly chambers, projects collectively valued at more than Sh1.5 billion. Beyond county-funded developments, Isiolo also hosts other stalled national projects, including the Isiolo International Airport and the long-stalled Isiolo abattoir, whose construction began 17 years ago.
A section of Isiolo International Airport.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
A recent audit report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu has once again raised concern over these projects, faulting the Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo-led county administration over continued delays and lack of progress in the 2024/2025 financial year.
Construction of Isiolo Stadium began in May 2019 at a cost of Sh345.9 million, with completion expected by December 2020. However, the project stalled in 2022 following a suspension to pave the way for investigations.
By the time works were halted, the contractor had already been paid Sh231.6 million, representing 66.9 per cent of the contract sum.
A physical inspection conducted on August 11, 2025, confirmed that no construction activity was ongoing and the contractor was not on site, leaving the facility incomplete with no indication of resumption.
Despite an announcement by Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya in May last year that the national government would take over the project, no work has resumed.
Isiolo town modern market in this photo taken on April 11, 2021.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
According to audit findings, Sh366.6 million had already been paid to the contractor, with reports indicating 80 per cent completion. However, a site visit in August 2025 revealed that the project remains incomplete, with no activity on the ground and the contractor absent.
About a kilometre away lies the Isiolo County Headquarters project, which began in March 2019 at a cost of Sh556.9 million. Initially, a joint national and county government initiative, the county government took full control in April 2024 and pledged completion by December of the same year.
Isiolo is among six counties that received a combined Sh2.5 billion from the national exchequer in the 2023/2024 financial year to complete stalled headquarters projects. However, progress remains elusive.
A site inspection in August 2025 once again found no ongoing construction activity, with the contractor off-site.
The County Assembly has also been flagged for continued spending on an incomplete debating chamber and restaurant complex initiated in 2019 and stalled in 2022. The project was budgeted at Sh314 million.
Additionally, construction of five ward offices that cost Sh24 million has stalled, with Ngaremara and Sericho offices remaining incomplete since 2018. By March 2025, Sh19.38 million had already been paid, leaving Sh5.6 million outstanding. Completion timelines remain unclear, with progress ranging between 64 and 88 per cent.
The Isiolo abattoir.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
In 2024, the county government announced plans to inject Sh1.14 billion to revive stalled projects. However, progress has remained limited, with only the long-stalled Sh870 million abattoir showing notable movement after 17 years of delay.
The county has since advertised for a private investor to operate the facility, which is expected to handle more than 2,500 animals daily once fully operational.
