Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko says the county has paid Sh1.1 billion of the total Sh1.7 billion pending bills giving commitment that his administration was working towards clearing the balance.
The huge pending bills had raised concerns among a section of the Migori Members of County Assembly (MCA) who criticised the governor for ballooning pending bills and misappropriating funds.
The huge pending bills also prompted a visit by the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget early this month led by Acting Chairperson Senator Bonny Khalwale to task the Migori County Executive management team led by Governor Ochilo with paying the 2023/2024 pending bills.
Ochilo who spoke during the Annual State of the County address to the County Assembly of Migori also disclosed that in the 2024/2025 financial year, the local revenue was projected to reach Sh600 million up from Sh420 million in 2023/2024 as the county continues to roll out revenue-automated systems meant to increase the county returns.
On the issue of staff recruitment, Ochilo said that his administration has already hired 300 new staff at all levels of the sectors to increase service delivery to the county residents. In addition, the county has also hired 100 health professionals to improve the health care services in various hospitals and health care facilities in the county.
The county boss affirmed to the residents of Migori that he will continue to strengthen inter-government relationships and the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) to boost the development agenda among counties and the national government.
In terms of structured training meant to capacity-build the county workforce, Ochilo said that the World Bank would be providing funds to assist in streamlining the various sectors in the county’s economy to enhance service delivery.
He also explained that his administration was at the stage of developing a youth policy framework to enhance talents in various sporting disciplines and nurture talents among the youth.
“We have allocated sporting funds worth Sh8 million in sporting equipment to nurture our youths in the sporting arena and create employment for our younger ones,” explained Ochilo.
By Makokha Khaoya
