Sub-County: Ganze

In Detail:

Mwatsama Dispensary, a once-hopeful healthcare project in Kisurutini Ward, Buni, was initiated in the 2014 fiscal year with the aim of providing essential medical services to a population in dire need. However, ten years later, the facility remains nothing more than an abandoned structure, despite continued budgetary allocations.

The residents of Buni, who were promised accessible healthcare, continue to suffer, forced to travel long distances for basic medical services. With every passing financial year, the county government has allegedly allocated funds to complete the dispensary, yet no visible progress has been made. Where has the money gone? Who is responsible for this glaring failure?

Budget Allocations with No Results

Public finance records indicate that Mwatsama Dispensary has been receiving funds under the county’s health development budget since 2014. However, a site visit reveals a stalled project, characterized by overgrown bushes, an incomplete building with unfinished walls, and piles of construction materials—including cement bags that have since dried up and become unusable. Despite repeated financial commitments, no services have ever been offered at the facility.

The financial trail tells a shocking story. Initially, KES 17 million was allocated in the 2014/2015 financial year for the construction of the dispensary. In 2017/2018, an additional KES 10 million was allocated for the construction of a maternity wing. Most recently, in the 2024/2025 budget, KES 5 million has been set aside for the proposed completion of the dispensary. However, despite these successive allocations, the facility remains in ruins, raising serious concerns about financial mismanagement and the blatant wastage of public resources.

Broken Promises and Community Frustration

In November 2024, the Deputy Governor of Kilifi County and the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Rabai Kisurutini assured residents that the dispensary would be completed by December of the same year. Yet, months later, no construction has resumed, and residents continue to wait in vain.

The community has not remained silent. They have organized meetings, submitted petitions, and engaged with local leaders, demanding answers. However, most responses have been vague, with no concrete action taken.

What the Law Says: A Case of Violated Rights and Failed Accountability

The failure to complete Mwatsama Dispensary is not just an issue of mismanagement; it is a direct violation of the rights enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution. Article 43(1)(a) guarantees every citizen the right to the highest attainable standard of health, yet the abandoned project denies thousands of residents’ access to basic healthcare. Furthermore, Article 201 underscores the principles of accountability in public finance management, ensuring that government expenditure directly benefits the people. The Public Finance Management Act (2012) reinforces this by demanding transparency and responsibility in the use of public resources. The continued misallocation of funds on an incomplete project is a clear contravention of these legal provisions, and those responsible must be held accountable.

The Way Forward: Time for Action

The people of Kisurutini Ward deserve more than just empty promises and failed projects. The county government must act decisively to complete Mwatsama Dispensary and ensure every shilling allocated is properly utilized. Immediate measures must be taken to assess the current state of the project, audit the expenditures, and hold those responsible for the mismanagement accountable.