How State used millions to dash boreholes that are running dry

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has revealed how the government spent millions of shillings to sink boreholes in various parts of the country that were yet to release any water.
In a report for the financial year 2022/23, Gathungu revealed that the State Department for Water and Sanitation spent KSh96.95 million to sink boreholes, some of which had stalled while others had no water.
Of these, KSh49.7 million was spent on drilling of boreholes whose completion has been delayed while KSh47.2 million was spent on boreholes that were drilled but are non-productive as they did not produce any water.
The report, which paints a grim picture on the state of boreholes raises concerns that anomalies were noted on three contracts that the State Department entered into as the boreholes that were drilled were of Low or No Productivity at all.
“In the circumstances, the intended purpose and value for money on the expenditure of KSh32,248,092 on drilling of boreholes could not be confirmed,” the report reads.
For instance, the department entered into a contract for drilling, equipping and civil works for a borehole in Limanet Primary in Narok North constituency at a contract sum of KSh9.8 million, but as at 30 June 2024, although the contractor had been fully paid, completion and defects liability certificates all issued, it was reported that it only produced water for a short while after completion.
In another project, the department entered into a contract for drilling, equipping and civil works for a borehole in Masindoni Secondary School in Chepalungu constituency at a contract sum of KSh10. 6 million, the borehole had no water adding that it only produced a small quantity of water during morning hours.
In the case of a borehole in Chebastuiye Secondary School also in Chepalungu, which was awarded at a contract sum of KSh11.7 million, the report says that as at the time of physical verification in November, 2024, the borehole had no water and it was reported that that it only generated water for two months after completion.
In another case, the report says that the State Department entered into contracts on 16 May 2023 for drilling, equipping and civil works for boreholes in KMTC Trans Mara in Emurua Dikirr constituency, Emurua Dikirr Secondary School and Kiptagei Primary School in  Chepalungu Constituency at contract sums of KSh9.8 million, another Sh9.8 million and  KSh12.75 million respectively, but as at the time of physical audit  verification in November, 2024, the three boreholes had not yielded any water and an  alternate sites were being sought for drilling.
“It could not be ascertained whether hydrogeological surveys had been done and what measures Management was putting in place to ensure the same does not occur.
Further, the three (3) projects duration has lapsed and no contract extension has been granted. In addition, the performance bonds had expired and had not been renewed.  In the circumstances, value for the money for KSh15,000,000 could not be confirmed,” the report reveals.
With regards to borehole whose completion has been delayed, the report cites the drilling, equipping and civil works for Kipchobet Primary School borehole at a contract sum of KSh10.1 million whose completion date was November, 2023 but physical inspection in November, 2024, revealed that the works were not complete and were way behind schedule.
In addition, the report says that the contract agreement had expired and there was no addendum to bind the two parties to project completion.
In the case of Olokyin borehole, whose contract sum amounted to KSh9.9 million and expected completion being in November, 2023, the report says that physical inspection in November, 2024 revealed that the contractor was not on site while the contract agreement had expired adding that there was no addendum to bind the two parties to project completion and contract had not been renewed.
With regards to the drilling, equipping and civil works for borehole in Sasumua Primary at a contract sum of KSh10.1 million and completion date off November, 2023 and which has so far consumed KSh5 million, the report says that physical inspection in  November 2024 revealed that the works were not complete and were way behind schedule while with regards to the drilling of borehole in Kwirindochei Primary at a contract sum of KSh9.98 million with a completion rate of November, 2023, physical inspection in  November, 2024 revealed that the works were not complete and were way behind schedule despite the project cobbling up KSh5 million.
In the case of drilling and equipping of a borehole in Kapsigot Primary at a contract sum of KSh10 million with a completion date of November 2023, the report noted that although the contractor had been paid an amount of KSh5 million, physical inspection in November, 2024 revealed that the works were not complete and were way behind schedule.
“The contract agreement had expired and there was no addendum to bind the two parties to project completion and the contract had not been renewed,” the report reveals.