The Kitui County Assembly Committee on Project Inspection on Tuesday conducted an oversight inspection of ongoing and completed development projects in Kyangwithya West Ward as part of its mandate to ensure accountability and value for public funds.
The committee was received by the Deputy Speaker of the Kitui County Assembly, Hon. Christopher Nzilu Nzioka, who is also the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Kyangwithya West. The exercise brought together Members of the County Assembly, County Assembly staff, and local residents.
During the visit, the committee inspected several projects, including the Kilembi Borehole, Mutulu Boda Boda Shade, Kandandu ECDE, Nzalwani ECDE classroom, and the Kavuta Borehole. The inspection aimed to assess project status, functionality, and their impact on service delivery to the community.
Public participation sessions were also held, notably at the Ngengeka Boda Boda Shade, where residents raised concerns over stalled, incomplete, or non-functional projects. One of the urgent issues highlighted was the collapse of the Kyangwithya West boda boda shade, with residents calling on the Assembly to prioritize the construction of a new facility.
At Kandandu ECDE, residents expressed concern over the closure of the centre, noting that young children are forced to walk approximately seven kilometres to the nearest primary school. Similar concerns were raised at Nzalwani ECDE, where the community appealed for the posting of a teacher and immediate reopening of the centre, as children currently walk about four kilometres to Kalia Kacha Primary School.
Water projects featured prominently in the submissions. Residents lamented that the Kwa Kilembi borehole, drilled in 2021, has remained sealed and non-operational, urging the county to fully equip and open it for community use. The Kavuta borehole, which was solarized in June 2023, was also reported to have never functioned, prompting calls for urgent technical intervention.
Infrastructure and environmental concerns were equally raised. Residents pointed out deep erosion cuts at Kakuuni playground, calling for repairs and preventive measures to curb further environmental degradation. Additionally, concerns were raised over the Mulutu–Ithookwe road, which residents said was only partially done—from Mulutu to Mathunzini—contrary to the Bill of Quantities, which provided for construction up to Ithookwe Airstrip. They appealed for the road to be completed as originally planned.
Addressing the residents, Hon. Christopher Nzilu Nzioka assured the community that their concerns had been noted and would be presented to the Assembly for consideration and action. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to follow up on the highlighted issues and ensure that county-funded projects deliver meaningful benefits to the people.
The oversight exercise underscores the County Assembly’s constitutional role in promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in county governance and development.
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