State Department for Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Julius Korir appeared before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to explain delays in several government-funded borehole projects flagged by the Auditor-General, with lawmakers questioning whether taxpayers received value for money.
The audit queries, contained in the Auditor-General's report for the 2023/24 financial year, relate to borehole projects funded under grants and transfers to other government units. Of the Sh36.37 billion allocation, Sh49.7 million was earmarked for borehole drilling. However, physical inspections conducted in November 2024 found that several projects remained incomplete despite contractual completion dates having lapsed.
Korir acknowledged the delays but attributed them to contractor underperformance, requests for extensions of time and funding challenges. He told the committee that the ministry had issued warning notices to defaulting contractors, approved justified extensions and initiated termination of contracts where performance failed to improve.
One of the projects under scrutiny was the Kipchobet Primary School borehole, awarded at Sh10.12 million in May 2023 with a six-month completion period. Auditors found that despite Sh5 million having already been paid, the project remained incomplete more than a year after its expected completion date.
Responding to the audit findings, Korir said the ministry agreed with the observations.
"Management concurs with the Auditor's observation. Progress reports as at October 2024 indicated that the overall project progress stood at 55 percent."
He said the contractor had received several warning notices before seeking extensions of time, which were approved up to January 14, 2026. Even after the extensions, progress reached only about 65 percent, prompting the ministry to recommend termination of the contract on February 16, 2026.
The committee also examined the Olokyin borehole project, awarded at Sh9.92 million, where auditors found the contractor absent from the site while the contract had already expired.
Korir admitted the delays, stating:"Management concurs with the Auditor's observation as at November 2024, the project had achieved approximately 50 percent overall physical progress."
He explained that although an extension had been granted until February 2026 and progress later improved to about 60 percent, implementation slowed after the first Interim Payment Certificate remained unpaid because of budget constraints.
Lawmakers further questioned the Sasumua Primary School borehole project, valued at Sh10.12 million, where auditors found construction incomplete despite Sh5 million having been paid. Korir said the contractor had sought an extension before the contract expired and confirmed that the project had since been completed and became operational on February 12, 2025, with a completion certificate issued.
The Kwirindochei Primary School borehole also featured in the audit after failing to meet its contractual completion timeline. Korir said the project was 55 percent complete during the audit inspection but has since been completed and is currently under the defects liability period until July 31, 2026.
The Auditor-General expressed particular concern over the Kapsigot Primary School borehole project, valued at Sh10.02 million, warning that prolonged delays could increase project costs.
"In the circumstances, the delayed completion of the projects may increase contract costs and the value for money could not be confirmed."
Korir told the committee that despite warning notices, renewed performance securities and approved extensions, implementation remained unsatisfactory at 51 percent, forcing the ministry to initiate termination of the contract.
The audit paints a broader picture of delays affecting several water projects, with repeated contract extensions, funding challenges and poor contractor performance exposing public funds to the risk of cost escalation and delayed service delivery. MPs said the findings raise fresh concerns over project supervision and accountability in the implementation of rural water infrastructure.