Senate Minority Whip Ledama ole Kina has tabled a motion in the Senate calling for the settlement of verified pending bills below Sh1 billion by the end of the current fiscal year. For bills exceeding this threshold, the motion proposes settlement by the end of the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Ole Kina’s motion addresses the issue of pending bills that have accumulated over time, causing significant challenges for service providers and affecting county projects and service delivery. Many first-term governors have been reluctant to settle these bills, arguing that they were incurred under previous administrations and often linked to non-existent projects.
The motion underscores the detrimental impact of these unpaid bills on service providers, leading to business closures and economic hardship. It also highlights the need for county governments to adhere to regulations regarding pending bills, ensuring that only bills included in procurement plans are paid.
The motion further recommends that supplementary budgets be prepared in the 3rd quarter to prevent arbitrary re-allocations and calls for public participation in the formulation of these budgets. Failure to comply with these recommendations could result in the withholding of subsequent budget releases.
During a recent appearance before the Senate, State House Comptroller Katoo ole Metito assured that the Office of the President would pay Sh15 billion in pending bills incurred during the Nairobi Metropolitan Service’s tenure. This move is seen as a step towards addressing the issue of pending bills and providing relief to affected service providers.
Governors Simba Arati of Kisii and Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos have also expressed their commitment to addressing pending bills in their respective counties. Arati revealed that out of the Sh1.6 billion in pending bills inherited, only Sh231 million were found to be genuine, while Ndeti pledged to prioritize the settlement of the long-standing Sh967 million in pending bills.
The motion by Senator Ole Kina aims to provide a framework for the timely settlement of pending bills, offering relief to service providers and ensuring smoother operations in county governments.
