Oral East Africa>Taxing taxpayers to brand public projects At the hut of the story

Written by Emmanuel Oyier

Having worked in the development sector, I've always wondered why it is more difficult to secure investments in 'software' or intangible aspects like quality care in hospitals.

In contrast, projects to build a maternity wing of a facility often gets more support and quicker approval, even if it may never be completed.

One politician once told me that the electorate wants something tangible as proof of development; hence, politicians choose to play to the gallery.

Kisumu Dunga Beach, fish banda

When construction begins on a sanitation block in a market, it is more visible than introducing legislation requiring real estate investors in public sectors to provide sanitation facilities. Even if the building is not completed, it provides a reason to request a second vote to continue such projects.

Obsession with brick and mortar

Lately, as one travels across the country, it's hard to miss the increasing display of self-aggrandizing images or names of elected politicians on road signs, boda-boda sheds, classrooms, toilets, clothes, etc. These images proclaim their 'benevolence' for delivering government projects, funded by taxpayers.

This trend began subtly when Members of Parliament started branding and naming government projects after themselves following the introduction of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in 2003 during the Kibaki presidency. These projects mainly included education and health infrastructure like classrooms and dispensaries.

Twenty-one years later, nearly the entire political class has joined this branding 'arms race.' Members of county assemblies, women representatives, and governors are now ridiculously positioning themselves on any available space of government-funded materials, including examination papers, emergency humanitarian supplies, and handwashing stations.

Development as a political gift

In June 2024, the former Cabinet Secretary of Education, Ezekiel Machogu, banned the branding of exams and school items with politicians' photos after Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa was accused of printing exam papers for early childhood education with his portrait. Similarly, during the same period Kisii County Governor Simba Arati donated school bags with his image on them.

In March 2024, I was surprised when Kisumu was preparing to host the iconic Fish Fiesta 2024. The billboard in the CBD, supposedly advertising the event, prominently featured a portrait of Governor Nyong'o, with a small print inviting us to the event. This made me wonder whether this was simply a case of ineptitude by the creative team or if the governor had decided to join his counterparts in this well-choreographed narrative.

In neighboring Homa Bay County, newly constructed roads are adorned with large signboards featuring members of the county assembly alongside Governor Wanga, reminding citizens that they would not have these roads if not for them.

The sign boards whose average market price of about Kes40,000 are placed at about two per road and spread every kilometer or so, literally sinking money. Further, according to the Auditor General, several of these publicity signposts are indicated in the Homa Bay county books but were never put up. This pattern is replicated across Kenya.

In recent conversations, especially those leading to Kenya's rejection of the finance bill and calls for increased government accountability. The protests also saw some of the branding defaced which means the money scattered around has virtually no returns to taxpayers.

Kenyans have increasingly voiced their displeasure at the branding of government projects, particularly at the county level. Conspicuously, most of these projects are brick-and-mortar or roads/infrastructure projects.

Procurement corruption

The nature of building and the due processes involved grant power to politicians who are either in oversight roles or in positions to influence who gets the projects, including the important roles of maintenance and reconstruction if needed. Another unspoken reason is that brick-and-mortar projects, unlike investments in service delivery, provide more opportunities for graft—kickbacks, shortcuts, and pilferage of funds—making them more attractive to politicians and, unfortunately, civil servants.

This only means that politicians will always prioritize and propose projects that involve brick and mortar over any other, but we are reminded as the citizenry to be wary and lend our voices at these developments given Kenya’s robust Citizen participation frameworks.

Kevin DeGood, Director, of Infrastructure Policy at the Center for American Progress in one of his position papers posits that: “Building infrastructure is an inherently political act of creation, and society must engage in deliberative planning processes with deep public engagement to determine what needs to be built and the type of future that infrastructure dollars should help achieve.”

Spending cuts

It will be interesting to see how politicians react and adjust to the forthcoming reality of reduced government spending on development, particularly the construction of new roads, buildings, and infrastructure. It will also be intriguing to observe how politicians will continue to brand themselves and portray themselves as saviors of their communities, despite using public funds.

More importantly, it remains to be seen whether they will support the government's apparent resolve to listen to Kenyans, live within its means, and stop overtaxing its citizens, even as it strives to repay foreign debts which means finance cuts to brick and mortar.