Owalo decries political interference in govt projects
By William Muthama, July 19, 2025Deputy Chief of Staff, Delivery and Government Efficiency, Eliud Owalo, has raised alarm over growing political interference in public development projects, warning that such influence is derailing service delivery and compromising project timelines.
Speaking during an official inspection of ongoing government initiatives in Nairobi on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Owalo emphasised that political meddling especially in procurement and implementation stages has become a key driver of stalled or delayed projects.
“When politicians insert themselves into the procurement chain or try to determine who should get what tender, we end up with confusion, delayed projects, and in some cases, ghost contractors,” said Owalo.
Delays and disruptions
He pointed out that conflicts of interest often arise when leaders lobby for specific contractors or insist on projects being redirected for political mileage rather than community needs.
“Development should not be politicized. Public projects are about service delivery, not settling political scores or rewarding cronies,” he stated.
Owalo noted that such interference not only undermines professionalism but also weakens public trust in government initiatives. He urged elected leaders to allow technical teams to do their work without undue influence.
Calls for Accountability
Owalo further called on investigative bodies and procurement watchdogs to probe instances where politics has influenced tenders or derailed project timelines.
“We are working to improve efficiency in government. That can only happen if systems are allowed to function independently and transparently,” he said.
The Deputy Chief of Staff reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering results under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), urging contractors and civil servants to uphold integrity and resist political pressure.
“Public service must be professional, accountable, and people-driven. That’s the only way to restore public confidence and achieve real impact,” Owalo concluded.