By Janet Nyamwamu
West Mugirango Member of Parliament Stephen Mogaka has brought national attention to Nyamira County by formally requesting a parliamentary inquiry into the suspension of several World Bank–funded development programmes.
The suspension, announced by the National Treasury on December 15, 2025, followed allegations of financial irregularities.
Reports cited unauthorized use of resources, unsupported expenditures, undelivered activities, and broader governance failures.
As a result, three flagship initiatives were halted: the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme, the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project, and the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project.
These programmes were designed to strengthen climate resilience, upgrade informal settlements, and boost agricultural productivity, making their suspension a matter of significant public interest.
In his request, Mogaka stressed that the projects are funded through international partnerships and public resources intended to uplift livelihoods and expand economic opportunities.
He urged the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning to provide a detailed report outlining the findings that led to the suspension, updates on ongoing investigations, and clear timelines for reinstating the programmes.
He also called for accountability measures to ensure that any officers found culpable are held responsible, while emphasising the need to protect beneficiaries whose lives have been disrupted by the halt.
World Bank financing plays a critical role in Kenya’s development agenda, supporting investments in agriculture, urban infrastructure, climate action, and social services.
Programmes such as KISIP have already transformed informal settlements by improving access to essential services, while agricultural value-chain projects have helped smallholder farmers increase productivity and market access.
Across Africa, similar donor-supported initiatives remain central to addressing food insecurity, climate change, and infrastructure deficits.
Yet suspensions tied to governance concerns are not uncommon, reflecting the delicate balance between accelerating development and enforcing accountability.
The Finance and National Planning Committee is expected to review the matter and present recommendations to the House.
The outcome will also influence broader confidence in Kenya’s ability to manage international development partnerships with transparency and integrity.