FINER DETAILS: 25million “Madaraka-Day” Bungoma beautification exercise

In Summary:

• 8 major beautification components
• Assorted images
• Madaraka budget, divided Assembly
• What the Assembly is waiting for
• #iKUWEiKUWE Corner

The price tag to the dual carriageway beatification has elicited a prolonged deafening public outcry that forced Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka and his team continue to struggle convincing the public that whatever they set out to do is worth 25million.

One MCA told ikuweikuwe.com that: “ Yes! The county govt asked departs to fund-raise 148million meant to support a National govt function (Madaraka Day). This was the budget brought before the house. A few of us raised issues but most of the rest were seen kando. It passed. Beautification had 25m”

• Yes! The county govt asked for departs to fund-raise 148million meant to support a National govt function (Madaraka Day)
• The budget (as shown above) was then discussed in the Assembly and passed.
• Lunao who is the main contractor at the Masinde Muliro – Kanduyi Stadium was at the time owed 128million. He was unable to finish the project unless govt advanced some funds.
• At one point the “stubborn” contractor was arrested (what amounts to intimidation, harassment) to force him to continue with construction.
• He stood his ground forcing the county to pay him 60million from the 148m for the construction to continue
• Other contractors had challenges getting anything including due procurement procedures. The County govt had absolutely no time to duly procure for services that were urgently needed forcing most of them to deliver goods to a verbal commitment.
• 

On Beautification ikuweikuwe.com made the following findings:

The exercise comprises various activities along the dual carriageway running from Kanduyi, Simba Street, Chebkube Market to Musikoma that are targeted at upgrading Bungoma town to a five-star.

The contractor is suspected to have taken off at a low speed due to lake of proper procurement procedures despite the urgency that came with Madaraka demands but later things were fine-tuned thanks to public outcry, high gears thus the contractor working day and night.

8 Major components;

1. Construction and installation of metallic buffalo sculptures
2. Drainage Works along the dual carriageway
3. Construction of channels, walk ways and cabro works including Chebkube market.
4. Landscaping of Simba street, construction of dwarf barriers using machine cut stones, erection of steel members (grills) to protect the entire Simba street
5. Planting of ornamental trees on both sides of dual carriageway and at the middle of dual carriageway plant assorted varieties of palm trees
6. Planting of assorted flowers at Simba garden and Kanduyi – Musikoma dual carriageway
7. Planting of grass along the dual carriageway and Simba Street garden
8. Fabrication and installation of dust bins for easy collection of garbage collection.

The County Assembly of Bungoma is therefore waiting for an expenditure report to be tabled by 15th Aug 2024 (45 days from the day it allocated funds) to know exactly what was spend where. The most realistic expectation is no item should overspend the allocation so some change is expected on each item… It is therefore possible that this beautification might cost way below the 25m.

#iKUWEiKUWE Corner:

• The contractor has picked up well and looks set to deliver a better job
• I nevertheless have my reservation as follows:
  1. 1. The footpaths at Chebkube market are too narrow (esp those on the roadside); if not adjusted I see pedestrians creating paths on gardens in the coming days.
     2. Will the contractor replace drainage leads that are missing along the dual carriageway?
     3. Will the island (middle section of the roads) be protected by grills too?
     4. The contractor should be careful not to damage water pipes, report to Nzowasco when it so happens
     5. Reduce the soil on the dual carriage island to avoid it spilling onto the road when it rains…. In short: avoid soiling the tarmac