Speed and efficiency in implementation of development projects are critical in saving money and improving service delivery to the public, Governor Alfred Mutua has said.
Dr Mutua says the reason public money goes to waste is because of the slow pace in the implementation process, thus exposing the Government to potential losses due to the length of time taken to complete projects.
Speaking at his office after hosting a delegation of World Bank officials who were on inspection tour of development projects funded to improve infrastructure in several municipalities, Mutua said Machakos County under his leadership had adopted 'Chap Chap' (very fast) philosophy in implementation of development projects.
"The reason projects cost double or triple is because they take forever to be completed. The biggest challenge of implementation of projects in Kenya is the speed at which they are undertaken," said Mutua.
He said Kenyans had been socialized to spend too much time on management and logistical issues at the expense of actual delivery of the projects.
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"In Machakos for example, in the spirit of Chap Chap we have done projects through limiting the scope of work for one contractor by awarding several different contractors to undertake specific works in order to reduce the overall time taken," he said.
Mutua said all the monies issued as grant by the World Bank will be prudently and efficiently utilized. "The monies you have given us have been well spent and we'll continue to spend them well for the sake of our people because ultimately it will be about making their lives better.”
He said the county government will also allocate budget to supplement and expand the various projects being funded by the monetary institution.
Mutua further revealed that his government had sealed a deal with a multinational bus company to set up base in Machakos to improve public service transport.
In the 2018/19 fiscal year, the World Bank advanced a Sh1 billion conditional grant to Machakos County for infrastructure development and expansion in the three municipalities of Mavoko, Kangundo/Tala and Machakos town.
