By Yusuff Baishe
The construction of the Mtangawanda Open-Air Market, located in Faza Ward on Pate Island within Lamu County, has raised serious concerns over the management of public funds after the project stalled before completion.
The market was initiated with the aim of improving the livelihoods of residents in Mtangawanda and surrounding areas by creating space for small-scale traders, easing access to essential goods on the island, and stimulating the local economy of Faza. However, this vision now appears to be fading, as the project remains at the foundation stage with no clear timeline for completion.
Speaking while aboard a public transport boat, a resident of Lamu East, Mohamed Hassan, explained to fellow elders that the market has lost its intended purpose. He noted that despite the high expectations, the allocated funds seem to have gone to waste without delivering meaningful benefits to the community.
Collins Muna, a community champion in Lamu, also gathered public opinion through WhatsApp groups regarding markets such as Mokowe, where residents expressed frustration over projects being left as incomplete structures.
According to a report by the Office of the Auditor-General Kenya for the 2022/2023 financial year, the project was awarded a contract worth KSh 19,727,556. By the time of the audit, the contractor had been paid a total of KSh 11,147,288, representing 57% of the contract value. These payments were made in phases during the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.
The report further revealed that there was inadequate budget allocation to ensure the project’s completion. Additionally, the contract period expired on June 16, 2023, with no evidence of extension, increasing the risk of the project being abandoned altogether.
Funding for the project was sourced from the county government through the Urban Development Grant. To date, the Mtangawanda market remains a symbol of unfulfilled promises, as residents continue to wait for accountability and decisive action from the Lamu County Government.
