Four health infrastructure projects valued at KSh283.54 million remained stalled in Garissa County at the end of the 2025/26 financial year, with KSh38.65 million already paid, according to a government audit report.
The Office of the Controller of Budget said the projects included the construction of a county health headquarters, a dispensary in Gedilun Sangailu, a cancer centre and a maternity facility in Bura.
The health headquarters project in Garissa Township was 90% complete but had stalled because of revaluation and procurement issues, the report said.
The dispensary in Ijara Sub-County was 30% complete, while the cancer centre and Bura maternity project had reached 5% and 20% completion, respectively.
The report attributed the delays in the three projects to contractors abandoning the work.
The cancer centre had the highest estimated value at KSh222.29 million. No payments had been recorded for the project by June 30, 2026.
The county proposed terminating contracts and rescoping the projects as part of efforts to address the delays.
Mohamed Salat, governance expert said the findings raise questions about the county’s oversight of public projects.
Salat said the impact of stalled health facilities on residents who rely on public hospitals and dispensaries is immense.
“Garissa County should clarify whether construction has resumed, when the facilities are expected to be completed and what action has been taken against contractors who abandoned the projects,” he said.
An abandoned health facility construction site in Garissa County. Four health projects worth KSh283.54 million remain stalled, including the county health headquarters, a dispensary in Gedilun Sangailu, a cancer centre and a maternity facility in Bura. Photo: RTG Digital / Illustration
