Kenyans To Incur Huge Expenditure Over Sh 24 Bn Delayed Projects

Kenyans may be forced to incur increased expenses on electricity transmission amounting to billions of shillings after Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) was put on the spot over the delay in completion of four electricity projects worth Sh 24 billion.

In a report currently before Parliament, Auditor General, Edward Ouko says that the completion of the projects within the approved budget and timelines cannot be confirmed.

The state auditor pointed out that if the issues are not addressed, the taxpayer will be forced to suffer the consequences of Ketraco’s poor planning.

Among the stalled projects is the Sh10.5 billion Nairobi ring project which started in May 2012 and was set for completion in November 2014.

The project entailed the construction of a transmission line from Suswa to Isinya, together with five sub-stations at Suswa, Kimuka, Isinya, Athi River, and Komarock.

As of June 30, 2018, the report states that the projects were behind schedule with only Suswa and Isinya sub-stations having being completed.

In his report, Ouko also highlighted the Sh7.2 billion Power Transmission System Improvement Project entailing transmission lines between Nyahururu- Nanyuki, Lessos- Kabarnet, Olkaria- Narok, and Wote- Kitui- Mwingi.

The project which was due in December 2017 is now behind schedule after the contract was terminated.

The Lessos-Tororo Line-Kenya Uganda Interconnector worth Sh3.7 billion which stretches between Lessos substation in Nandi to Tororo substation near the Kenya-Uganda border is also behind schedule.

The government had procured a loan from the Exim Bank of India to fund two transmission lines and six substations at a cost of Sh 2billion, according to the auditor general, these projects have dragged for years.

The Exim Bank of India funded projects include; Turkwel-Ortum- Kitale transmission line which was constructed by KEC International limited at Sh1.23 billion.

It was scheduled for completion by August 2015, however, as at June 30, 2018, only 89 percent of the works had been done.

KEC International limited was also meant to construct two substations at Kitale and Ortum for Sh1.877 billion.

Featured Image Courtesy: Standardmedia.co.ke