Lodwar, August 26, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The County Government of Turkana has on Monday awarded 33 projects on Equalisation Fund to successful local contractors, following an intensive evaluation of bids from over 400 applicants who showed interest.

The 33 projects spread across the county include 30 water projects, construction of X-ray facility for Lorugum Sub-county Hospital, construction of Early Childhood Development Centre at Nakangae in Nanam Ward and establishment of maternal Child Clinic at Kakuma Sub-county Hospital.

The Equalisation Fund projects are expected to commence on September 6, 2024 and complete after six months on March 6, 2025, costing over Sh 400 million.

Samuel Ekale, the Chief Officer for Economic Planning who represented the County Government in the signing of contracts, underscored the timelines of the projects emphasising that any project which would not have started and completed within the stipulated period will be terminated without any prior notice.

“If by any chance, any of the projects would not have started after 14 days of signing the contract, and more so, not have been completed after six months, the contract will be terminated without further delay.” Chief Ekale stated.

He further told local contractors of the need to consider quality of work that is worth the value of money and that benefits the residents of Turkana.

The awarded projects will be implemented by a committee chaired by the Turkana Governor and co-chaired by the County Commissioner guided by elaborate monitoring and evaluation framework

Joyce Elimo, the Legal Officer in the Office of the County Attorney helped to explain the technical sections of the contract to the participants. Whilst, the Director for Procurement Samson Nakito facilitated the whole procurement process.

One of the contractors, who did not want to be mentioned, said he is well equipped to handle the task and promised to leave a mark behind, saying should such a project happen again, he would rely on his track record.

The Equalization Fund was established through Article 204 of the progressive Constitution of Kenya as part of the government’s efforts to address marginalisation, ensuring that 0.5% of the National government’s annual revenue is specifically allocated to marginalised areas. The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) is responsible for identifying the marginalised areas based on a criterion outlined in Articles 260 and 216. The fund aims to catalyse development in historically underserved regions by providing financial resources for the construction of infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, piped water systems, sewerage systems, and electricity.

In this year’s allocation, CRA adopted reviewed policies guiding the operationalization of the Fund. The first policy introduced in 2013 outlined the criteria for identifying marginalised counties and recommended procedures for utilising the Fund as outlined in Article 204. This policy primarily focused on allocating funds to counties based on the County Development Index (CDI), which considered factors such as historical injustices, poverty levels, infrastructure conditions, and access to essential services. Fourteen (14) counties including Turkana, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Samburu, West Pokot, Tana River, Narok, Kwale, Garissa, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Isiolo, and Lamu were identified as marginalised, making them the initial beneficiaries of the fund. However, the policy failed to consider variations within each county, had limited public participation in project identification, and delayed timelines in project implementation.

CRA introduced a second policy in 2018 that focused on identification of marginalised areas within sub-counties, expanding the scope from 14 to 34 counties. The added counties included Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Kisumu, Kitui, Laikipia, Machakos, Meru, Migori, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nandi, Samburu, Siaya, Tharaka Nithi and Trans Nzoia. But, emphasis was put on the importance of identifying and implementing targeted programmes considering the gaps in access to various amenities such as transport and electricity across Counties.

During the first three fiscal years (2011/12, 2012/13, and 2013/14), no allocation was made due to absence of a policy framework to guide the identification of marginalised areas.