The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for a special audit into the financial dealings of the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS), focusing on questionable expenditures and incomplete projects that have raised concerns over value for money.
NMS, an initiative launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, was aimed at rescuing Nairobi from mismanagement under former Governor Mike Sonko. However, the service faced widespread criticism, particularly over stalled projects and unpaid bills, leading to the current parliamentary probe.
In a report tabled recently, PAC directed Auditor General Nancy Gathungu to conduct a special audit and submit a report by July. The audit will specifically scrutinize projects in 15 informal settlements, including Dandora, Kibera, and Mathare, where water, sewerage, and street lighting works, valued at Sh4 billion, remain unfinished. Despite Sh1.6 billion already paid to contractors, they are owed an additional Sh665 million, and the works, which were due for completion in March 2022, have not been completed.
The audit will also investigate the unfinished rehabilitation of Jeevanjee Park, a key NMS project launched in 2020. While all materials were procured, the park remains incomplete, raising questions about its value for money. Moreover, 19 health facility construction projects across Nairobi, initially funded by Amref with an upfront payment of Sh869 million, are at varying stages of completion, with some as low as 5% finished.
Adding to the concerns, NMS left behind Sh15 billion in unpaid bills following its dissolution in 2022, further highlighting financial mismanagement. These outstanding debts have accumulated over the past four financial years, and the committee is pressing for full accountability.
The PAC has also recommended that both State House and the Deputy President’s office settle their outstanding bills, including Sh882 million linked to the Deputy President’s office, within the current financial year. This investigation aims to ensure that taxpayers’ money is accounted for and that incomplete projects are brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
