KITUI SOUTH, KITUI — Thursday, August 20, 2027 – The Kitui County Assembly’s week-long inspection of county-funded projects entered its fourth day on Thursday, with a delegation touring projects in Mutha and Kanziko wards to assess their implementation, quality and impact on residents.
The delegation, led by the Minority Leader and accompanied by Mutha MCA Hon. Dominic Mwamisi and Kanziko MCA Hon. Kyalo Kimuli, inspected water, education and road infrastructure projects while engaging residents on the benefits and challenges arising from the investments.
In Mutha Ward, the team inspected the Matikoni Earth Dam in Isaa Village, a KSh1.9 million project implemented during the 2025/2026 financial year under the Community Level Infrastructure Development Programme (CLIDP).
The inspection team found the dam completed to a good standard, with residents welcoming the project and saying it would reduce the long distances they have traditionally travelled in search of water.
Residents, however, proposed expansion of the dam inlet and its connection to a nearby stream to increase water inflow. They also called for fencing, solarisation and piping of water to designated points, as well as construction of an animal watering trough and ablution block.
The delegation also visited Matikoni ECDE Classroom, constructed during the 2023/2024 financial year. The centre currently has 20 learners, but faces challenges including inadequate learning facilities and lack of basic amenities.
The centre has only one teacher employed and paid by parents, while most learners reportedly sit on the floor due to inadequate and dilapidated desks. Residents appealed for deployment of a government-employed teacher.
The ECDE centre also lacks a latrine and water supply. Residents requested a water storage tank, noting that existing gutters could support rainwater harvesting.
The team further inspected the Mutha–Ilamba–Kaluluini–Ikivuthi Road, an eight-kilometre road opening and grading project implemented in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The road, which connects Mutha town to Ilamba Market, received positive feedback from residents, with the inspection team commending the workmanship. However, Members recommended construction of a four-way culvert at Kalundu Stream and a slab of at least 50 metres to improve drainage and maintain accessibility during rainy seasons.
In Kanziko Ward, the delegation inspected the Kasiku–Mwangala–Muthue Road, a 14-kilometre project implemented during the 2025/2026 financial year at an estimated cost of KSh8 million.
The project included road opening and grading, installation of seven culverts, a drift and slab, as well as murraming of one kilometre.
While the road opening and grading works were considered satisfactory, Members raised concerns over the quality of some structures and drainage works. They noted that the road had not attained the required seven-metre width, while some drainage structures were poorly executed.
Concerns were also raised over the finishing of the drifts, with heaps of soil left on both sides of the river. One drift was singled out as particularly dangerous after residents reported three serious accidents at the site.
The delegation further observed that posts installed at the drifts lacked reflective paint, raising safety concerns for motorists, especially at night.
Residents called on the County Assembly to investigate allegations that project supervision may have been compromised and urged authorities to ensure identified defects are corrected before the contractor receives payment.
Despite the concerns, residents appreciated the County Government’s efforts to improve road connectivity, noting that the network is critical for access to markets, services and other economic opportunities.
The inspection highlighted both positive outcomes and areas requiring urgent intervention, with the Matikoni Earth Dam and Mutha–Ilamba–Kaluluini–Ikivuthi Road receiving positive assessments, while the Matikoni ECDE centre and Kasiku–Mwangala–Muthue Road require further attention.
The County Assembly said the exercise is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure public projects are implemented to the required standards, remain functional and deliver tangible benefits to residents.
The week-long inspection concludes on Friday, with the delegation scheduled to visit Kitui Township and Nzambani wards.
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