A funding squeeze has left a string of major government projects unfinished or badly behind schedule, with some multi-billion-shilling programmes recording only a fraction of the work expected by their completion dates.
The delays affect projects in several ministries and State departments, raising concerns over the pace at which planned public investments are being turned into services and infrastructure for Kenyans.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, in her latest budget implementation review report for the national government for the year ended June 30, 2026, lists a number of projects that have either stalled or failed to meet their planned timelines.
The affected areas include Transport, Public Works, Energy, Health and Education, with inadequate funding identified as the main reason for the slow progress.
“The poor performance of the projects is due to inadequate budgetary provisions,” Nyakang’o said in the report.
Among the projects facing major delays are several roads under the State Department of Roads.
The Sh23 billion Konyu-Kagumo road has made little progress despite having been expected to be completed in February 2026. Work on the project began on May 22, but by the time of the review, only six per cent had been completed.
The Eldas Township Road has also missed its target. Construction of the Sh516.83 million road started in January 2022 and was meant to end in September 2025, but completion stood at 71 per cent.
Work on the Nyaburu (Jnc C20)-Oboke-Rangwe Road has moved even more slowly. The Sh983.69 million project began in August 2021 and was due for completion in August 2025, yet only 17 per cent of the work had been done.
Another major road project, the Sh3.08 billion Chobe-Kambi George-Weru-Matundura and Muti-ini-Thindi road, had reached just 13 per cent completion despite being scheduled to be finished in June this year.
The Sagana-Kathaka-Thiguku/Mururi-Mahigaini-Nyamindi-Kiumbun road was at 37 per cent completion against an August 2026 deadline.
The budget review also points to projects whose spending has gone beyond the initial estimates.
The Dualling of the Mombasa–Mariakani Road, Lot 1 covering Msa–Kwa Jomvu, had exceeded its projected cost by Sh404.63 million. Its absorption rate had reached 103 per cent.
“The over-expenditure is due to interest on late payment and accumulated claims. Besides, five road projects had overstretched their completion timelines,” the report states.
Transport infrastructure has also been hit by slow implementation.
The Sh60.62 million Special Economic Zone Development Project at Dongo Kundu, which began in July 2020, was expected to be completed in June this year. However, only 13 per cent of the project had been completed.
The Nairobi Bus Rapid Transit BRT Line 2, popularly known as the Simba Line, is also yet to meet its target. The Sh5.57 billion project was scheduled for completion in June last year but had reached only 54 per cent.
The Mombasa SGR-Miritini MGR and railway bridge across Makupa Causeway has performed better but remains incomplete. The project was initially scheduled for completion in 2024 and had reached 91 per cent completion by the time of the review.
The report shows that while some projects are nearing completion, others remain far behind their original schedules, with funding constraints continuing to slow the delivery of planned government programmes.