Kisumu County Government has reaffirmed its commitment to pay all the pending bills owed to contractors and suppliers.
The contractors and suppliers have in the past complained over delayed and nonpayment for the services and goods supplied to the Lakeside County.
In a press statement issued on Monday, Mr. John Oywa, Director of County Communication department noted that the Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o administration has paid Sh.400 million to contractors since entering office in August 2022.
Oywa pleaded with the affected contractors who had been hired to implement development projects and supply Kisumu County government with various services to be patient as the County clears the pending balance of Sh.1.3 billion.
“We have processed a lot more pending bills in this financial year awaiting disbursement from National Treasury to pay off the accumulated debts,” read the statement.
Besides, Mr. Oywa apportioned blame to the National government’s failure to release money to the counties on time.
“We understand the pains of genuine business firms that are yet to be paid. And we will do everything possible to ensure we make payments this financial year in accordance with the provisions of the current budget, as we receive funds from the national government and our own generated revenue,” he assured.
He observed that Counties have not been funded by the exchequer for December 2022, January, February and March 2023.
Kisumu Contractors Association chairperson, Maurice Aloo decried the sad state of affairs at the County’s Financial Department alleging that contractors are disillusioned after the County reneged on its commitment to settle their dues.
The delayed payments, he added, has caused them embarrassment as their property risk being auctioned.
By Robert Ojwang’
