A dredging machine that was commissioned by African Union Infrastructure Development Envoy Raila Odinga at the Kisumu Port is yet to begin operations, over seven months later.
The machine was to be used to desilt Kisumu Port, which cannot accommodate cargo and passenger ferries in its current state, even after the ongoing renovations.
And while the exercise which also includes removing stones is set to cost the government Sh500 million, the dredger remains idle owing to an unsigned agreement between the government and the Uganda-based Chinese firm Mango Tree Group.
The same was on Tuesday confirmed by Mango Tree Group Managing Director Shu Chu Fan who said they are yet to sign an official contract with the state.
However, a Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) official said the issue is being addressed.
"I think it may have been brought in a hurry but it is being addressed," the official told the Standard.
The port which has been renovated at a cost of Sh3 billion was expected to be launched last Thursday, in a function that was to see President Uhuru Kenyatta lead a delegation of regional presidents for the launch.
However, the commissioning was postponed on the eleventh hour owing to incomplete works.