Analysis by The Nation reveals that the projects commissioned by the President began long before he took office and were at various stages of initiation and completion.
During the visit, President Ruto commissioned the construction of a specialised cancer hospital in Kisii town, noting that the facility when completed will be a milestone in the provision of intensive care to patients.
The project was funded by loans secured by his predecessor, Kenyatta, to build four similar facilities in Saudi Arabia.
“The increasing number of cancer patients is a matter of great concern. My government has mobilised funds to build four cancer research centres in the country and I am pleased that Kisii will be the first beneficiary of this initiative,” President Kenyatta said during his visit to Kisii in 2019.
The Auditor General’s report said all project processes had been completed and Kenya had indeed received the loan for the Kisii Cancer Centre.
“The project was signed on 3 June 2015 between the Republic of Kenya (borrower) and the Bank for Arab and African Economic Development (BADEA) for US$10 million (Shs1 billion at the then exchange rate), and on 12 April 2017 between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Republic of Kenya for SAR37.5 million (Shs1 billion at the then exchange rate),” the Auditor General’s report on the government for 2022/2023 stated.
It further stated, “The borrower will provide an additional financing of US$2.8 million, or Shs280 million at the then current exchange rate, bringing the total project cost to Shs2.28 billion. The project period was for six years, from August 10, 2016 to August 10, 2022. However, as of June 2023, construction had not commenced and the total amount of financing since the start of the project has not been disclosed.”
Speaking in Kisii this week, President Ruto said: “As you know, this project has been on hold for some time but I visited Saudia last year and we agreed to combine their support with that of BADEA and our government to build a centre of excellence in cancer research in Kisii.”
In Nyamira, President Ruto inaugurated the upgrading and maintenance of asphalt standards on Eronge Road (D209), a key piece of infrastructure in Bolabu Constituency.
However, the same road had been started during the Kenyatta administration by the then Minister of Roads James Macharia and Minister of Home Affairs Fred Matiang’i, but the work was never completed.
Dr Ruto also inaugurated the Sirare-Kisii-Ajero road, construction of which began during the reign of President Kenyatta.
The road has notable landmarks including the region’s first interchange, located on the outskirts of Kisii town.
The project is funded by the African Development Fund (ADB), the European Union and the Government of Kenya and is crucial for the East Africa regional trade corridor.
When President Kenyatta handed over power to Dr Ruto, the road was 90% complete with only one kilometre remaining between the Junction area and Daraja Mbili market.
Also, 16 years ago, former Member of Parliament for Mugirango/Borab North, Wilfred Ombui, submitted a proposal to the Kuwaiti government seeking funds to improve the infrastructure of schools in his constituency.
The proposal was funded with Sh1.4 billion and has been amended to benefit 47 secondary schools and 21 primary schools across Nyamira County.
The constituency is divided into North Mugirango and Borab, and Ombui contested the former unsuccessfully in 2013, stalled by his pursuit of financial assistance from Kuwait.
Recently, all funding formalities were finalized, paving the way for the upgrade of facilities in aided schools.
President Ruto visited Gusii area this week to lay the foundation stone for the construction of a dormitory at Kiabonyor Senior High School in Mugirango North Constituency.
His predecessor, Mr Kenyatta, was instrumental in following up and driving towards the realisation of the Kuwaiti-funded Nyamira County School Development Project.
“We are renovating facilities in 68 schools in Bolabu, North Mugirango, West Mugirango and Kitutu Masaba constituencies in Nyamira County to boost student intake and facilitate learning,” Dr Ruto said.
“We will build 183 new classrooms, dormitories and cafeterias in 47 junior high schools and 21 primary schools,” he added.
Ombui was at the centre of this funding from the start, but his name seems to have been forgotten the moment he lost his seat.
