FORGET SICHIRAI. WORLD BANK KAKAMEGA PROJECTS ARE CASH COWS.

GOVERNOR Fernandes Barasa last week got a chance to witness sleaze and theft first-hand at a donor-funded project.

On a tour of Shieywe ward, Sichirai Ultra modern market stands out as a sore thumb, the Ksh 178M worth market has so far gobbled up Ksh 150M with not much substance.

World Bank Funded Sichirai Market. Governor Barasa has said it was technically impossible to complete it in two wants. 

The contractor Sabema, with many other projects paid and not complete is walking free picking jobs in other counties as Kakamega's rot.

It is clear that the donor has over the years lacked the gusto to follow up and audit their projects as they have relied on phoney reports filled by the County without going on the ground themselves to check if there is value for money. 

It is laughable that a market project which is at the center of the economy of Kakamega's stimulus progress has dragged on, taken a beating from the weather, most of the works being substandard, the roof falling off and on the bush competing with undergrowth plants. 

During the visit, the Governor expressed worry despite assurances from a representative of the Contractor that the works would be complete in the next two months. 

The two weeks order for an audit report on the works versus the payments, the expected quick analysis and recommendations on the next course of action is a welcome move. 

One does not need rocket science knowledge to see that Sichirai is a cash cow and all those involved must be forced to acviht for their actions. 

Anothef project is Shathsala Modern Market, this one, also awarded to the same contractor is a crying shame as it stalled less than six months after it was launched. 

Suspicion Flys around that following the bad returns of world Bank projects all over, there are cartels within the county and the donor herself that collude to look the other way as cash is stolen and diverted to personal use. 

It goes without saying that lack of clear laid down mechanisms on follow up on their fund utilization, World Bank monies have failed to reach the intended purposes over the years. 

As the governor expresses worry that the Bank could develop cold feet in as far as urban support program is concerned, there is need of a fresh look at ongoing and complete projects to utmost satisfaction. 

On Sichirai, the situation calls for questioning of the County Works officer, the quantity surveyors, the paying officers, second term MCAs like Makhanu who now leads the Assembly trade committee feighing ignorance. 

There is no way second term MCAs can pretend to be new to such fallacies and unashamedly come out to help the Governor shade tears while they sat on their laurels in the previous administration. 

ENDS.