The construction site of the incomplete modern library in Kajiado County in this picture taken on July 28, 2025.
A child born in Kajiado town on April 20, 2015, when the Sh119 million modern library construction was launched by former Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye, is probably in Grade Three – with no hope of ever using the artistic library that remains a white elephant project 10 years later.
The modern library contract was awarded in the 2014/2015 financial year by the former county chief but completely stalled when he was ousted by his successor Joseph Lenku during the 2017 General Election.
The mega library complex was designed to have a cultural centre, resource centre, ICT block, recreation facility and children’s training unit – the first and one of its kind in the vast county that boasts both rural and metropolitan areas.
The digitally-hyped centre, which was initially to be completed in 20 months, was to be installed with high-speed internet connectivity to enable locals to access it online. The library was designed to have both adult and children’s sections.
Also, the library was to have mobile libraries set up in the rural parts of Kajiado and connected to the main library to cultivate a reading culture and improve literacy levels. The facility was also expected to create employment.
Kajiado County’s adult literacy rate is estimated to be around 70 per cent, with 30 per cent of the adult population unable to read and write, according to recent county records.
Annual ECD enrolment and retention increased from 37,687 in 2017 to 43,005 as of 2022, translating to 70 per cent of the total number of children eligible to join school. The culture of reading is said to be significantly low.
Former governor Nkedianye’s pet project has remained a bad dream to locals, dampening not only the spirits of learners but also the general public.
On a sunny Monday on July 28, 2025 the Daily Nation visited this most conspicuous artistic building in Kajiado town – which hosts the county headquarters and other national and county government offices.
A worn out project signage a few metres from the site catches a visitor’s attention. The towering, stalled library is partially hidden by overgrown grass and acacia trees, now home to several birds’ nests. In a few months, some of the trees might outgrow the building.
A worn out project signage (left) at the construction site of the incomplete modern library in Kajiado County in this picture taken on July 28, 2025.
There are signs that the shrubs and grass were trimmed a few months ago, but they are growing rapidly – indicating minimal activity at the construction site.
What is probably a guard’s or caretaker’s semi-permanent house is tucked strategically near the gate.
Inside, structural pillars hold the building majestically, ushering a visitor into multiple pitch-dark verandas and staircases leading to the first and second floors.
In some sections, faded paint is peeling off the walls. The cooing of doves, which have made it a temporary home, reverberates – until it is interrupted by the whistling sound of startled birds flying away. In some sections, the old iron sheet perimeter wall is caving in.
The construction site of the incomplete modern library in Kajiado County in this picture taken on July 28, 2025.
Residents cited petty politics between the current governor and his predecessor for denying hundreds of residents the opportunity to quench their thirst for education.
“The project came to a screeching halt after the new administration was elected in the 2017 General Election. The project is a classic example of a superiority complex between two regimes – at the expense of residents,” said Anthony Kimiti, a resident.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Kajiado branch secretary Elly Korinko told the Daily Nation that the library could have been a game changer in tackling illiteracy levels.
He challenged the devolved unit to fast-track the stalled project’s completion.
“Learners from several local tertiary institutions and teachers would have benefitted from the library. It could have been a haven for the general public, especially in the evenings and for young learners on weekends,” Korinko said.
Gobbled up millions of shillings
“This was a one-stop shop. Knowledge is a major facet of a civilized society.”
In 2020, the Senate’s Public Accounts and Investment Committee (PAIC) summoned Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku. In his submission, Governor Lenku admitted there were several issues that had bedevilled his predecessor’s project but promised the committee that he had since resolved all outstanding issues.
A report by then Auditor-General Edward Ouko, tabled in the Senate, questioned how a company, M/S Tynen Ltd, was paid Sh110.7 million, of which Sh11.2 million was for works that had not been done.
The report also queried how Sh2.8 million was disbursed to the contractor for works that were not certified. In total, the project has gobbled up Sh149.7 million in public funds.
According to the County Assembly of Kajiado records, the project was further allocated Sh25 million in the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
The construction site of the incomplete modern library in Kajiado County in this picture taken on July 28, 2025.
The County Assembly Education Committee Chairperson and Illoodokilani Ward MCA Joshua Saigilu told the Daily Nation on Monday that the committee was waiting for a status report from the Department of Education, Vocational Training, Youth, and Sports.
“Despite annual allocations, the project has stalled for years. We see no value for money in this project. We will continue pressing the executive for answers and for its completion,” said Saigilu.
CECM for Education, Vocational Training, Youth and Sports Ms Janet Sereu did not respond to the Daily Nation’s queries on the stalled mega project.
Acting County Secretary Dr Leina Mpoke told the Daily Nation that the project initially faced a false start due to financial constraints owing to national government equitable allocation delay.
Even when money was made available, Dr Mpoke said, the first contractor delayed, prompting the county to terminate the contract in 2021.
A new contractor has since been engaged and is expected to hit the ground in due course, the top official said.
“The first contractor failed to complete the scope of work within the stipulated timeline as per contract. The contract was terminated and the matter taken over by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other relevant government bodies for further probe,” said Dr Mpoke.
“Let it be known that evaluation was done by county engineers to ensure the county did not pay extra money for work not done by the time the contract was terminated.”
Further, Dr Mpoke reiterated the devolved unit commitment to complete the mega stalled project in few months’ time.
“More money has been allocated in 2025/26 financial year. This is a flagship project the county government is moving in earnest to fast-track. The Education Vocational Training Youths and Sports department has met with the new contractor and a technical team to evaluate the scope of work left,” he added without revealing how much had been allocated.
