Nakuru to audit all projects before paying contractors, suppliers

All the pending bills in Nakuru County will be paid after an audit of all projects that were undertaken by contractors, the county pending bills committee has said

The county assembly approved the payment of Sh180 million in the 2020/2021 fiscal year to clear part of the Sh2.1 billion which comprises Sh576,000 million inherited debts from the four defunct local authorities including Nakuru Municipal Council, Nakuru County Council and  Molo and Naivasha town councils. Another Sh1.5 billion was inherited from county departments.

However, it will not be smooth sailing for the contractors and suppliers as the pending bills' committee will not endorse the payment if the projects are incomplete or the work done is shoddy.

"We will ensure the residents get value for their money and only complete projects which were constructed according to the laid down regulations will be paid," said a senior official.  

Some suppliers and contractors have complained about the criteria to be used to select those to be paid.

The disabled and youths claimed that they had not been paid for the goods and services they offered to the devolved unit in the last one year.

“The county should consider settling debts owed to people living with disabilities and youths since they are the most affected by the coronavirus pandemic," said Mr George Otieno.

Mr Otieno, who is the spokesperson for people living with disabilities, said that the Sh180 million approved by the county assembly to settle pending bills was insufficient. 

“This is a dangerous trend, the county should set aside more funds in the forthcoming supplementary budget to clear all the pending bills as some of them have delayed for the last 10 years.

An official of the county pending bills committee said that the executive had set aside Sh300 million to clear part of the outstanding bills but this was reduced by almost half by the assembly.  

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