Taxpayers Lose KSh 500 Million to Stalled ‘White Elephant’ Projects in Nakuru County

In Nakuru County, a wave of public and official concern has emerged following revelations that approximately KSh 500 million has been lost to abandoned or poorly executed development projects. The funding, intended for key infrastructure and public service enhancements, now remains tied up in incomplete work that offers little value to residents. The latest audit findings highlight a growing crisis of fiscal accountability and project management within the county’s devolved governance structures.
According to the audit reports for the 2022/23 financial year, significant sums were spent on projects that never reached completion, lacked proper documentation or failed basic oversight protocols. For instance, the county paid KSh 116.08 million to private law firms via direct procurement without supporting contracts or justification, and then lost a court case which cost an additional KSh 98.13 million in penalties. The audit also flagged KSh 282.77 million lost in the stalled construction of the Treasury headquarters and KSh 126.08 million tied up in a delayed project for Njoro Level 4 Hospital. Essential documents such as structural plans or National Construction Authority registration certificates were missing.
The impact of these findings is significant. Residents and development analysts warn that money meant to improve roads, hospitals and other vital services has been diverted or wasted, deepening scepticism about the value of public spending. Local civic groups are calling for urgent interventions: forensic audits, stronger oversight of procurement, and public disclosure of suspended projects. Meanwhile, the county administration faces mounting pressure to explain how such large sums were mishandled and what corrective steps will be taken.
Looking ahead, the coming months will be critical for restoring public confidence and rectifying governance deficits in Nakuru County. The county treasury and audit committees must now prioritise the completion or cancellation of stalled projects, publish clear timelines, and recover funds where possible. The national government’s oversight agencies may also step in if local remediation is inadequate. If these measures succeed, the episode could become a turning point for improved accountability in Kenya’s county administrations. On the other hand, failure to act could reinforce the notion that devolution has left too many money‑leaks unchecked.