The Senate’s Devolution Committee has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Turkana County Government and Landmark Holdings Limited to resolve a protracted contractual stalemate that has delayed the completion and occupation of the county headquarters in Lodwar—an infrastructure project that has dragged on for over 11 years.
Appearing before the Senate Committee, Landmark Holdings, the main contractor, accused the county government of dragging its feet in appointing a consultant to verify and approve financial claims necessary for handing over the building.
The firm said the project’s cost has ballooned from an initial contract price of Sh695 million in 2014 to Sh1.1 billion, citing penalties and accrued interest due to the prolonged delays.
So far, the county government has paid Sh740 million but maintains that only Sh764 million is payable. The administration blamed the delays on poor intergovernmental coordination, disputes among subcontractors, and insecurity in the region. However, senators dismissed these justifications as “frivolous” and urged both parties to bring the matter to a close.“The excuses presented do not hold water. The people of Turkana cannot continue to suffer due to bureaucratic wrangles and mismanagement,” a member of the committee remarked during the session.
The committee emphasized the urgency of resolving the dispute and directed that the contractor’s claims be reviewed and the building handed over for occupation within a month.
The delay has left critical county operations in limbo, with essential services being run from temporary facilities.The Senate now expects a conclusive report within 30 days, warning that further delays will attract legal and administrative consequences.
The stalled project, which was expected to modernize county administration and enhance service delivery in Turkana, has now become a symbol of delayed devolution promises and accountability gaps.
