• Trans Nzoia Governor told first session of assembly that pending bills surpass county's annual development budget.
• ‘’Some bills do not reflect work done, most jobs were done haphazardly. Taskforce will help decide who gets paid, who are ghosts.:
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has said he will form a task force to scrutinise pending bills to determine if work was done and merits payment.
The county chief, who presided over the assembly opening on Tuesday, said pending bills surpass the county’s annual development budget.
"Some of the bills in question do not reflect work done on the ground, and most of the jobs were done haphazardly. The taskforce will form the basis of those to be paid, leaving out ghost works," he said.
A forensic audit will be carried out before any payments are made, he said.
Natembeya also said his administration will investigate alleged hiring of ghost workers. If found, they will be removed and competent staff will be hired, the former Rift Valley regional commissioner said.
“We have taken note of the serious allegations of ghost workers and we will be launching investigations into what transpired. We will lay out elaborate measures to ensure competent staff are hired," he said.
He also said officers who misused Nawiri funds will be prosecuted. Anyone who pilfered funds will face the full force of the law, the governor said.
"Mr Speaker and Honorable Members, I am aware this House enacted a law establishing the Nawiri fund meant to empower youth, women and persons with disabilities. Those who mismanaged the funds will account for them," he said.
He said his administration will revive the fund to better the lives of residents.
He urged MCAs to dedicate themselves to serving residents with humility and wisdom, regardless of political affiliations.
"Although we represent different political parties, we must put aside all those differences and know that elections are over and it's our duty now to serve Kenyans," Natembeya said.
He cautioned the legislative arm of government against allowing debates to degenerate into shouting matches between political formations.
"We have seen some debates turn into paralysis that results in failing to deliver services," the governor said.
He pledged unequivocal commitment and support to the legislative agenda and asked MCAs to reciprocate.
He said that his administration was in the final stages of developing a third generation County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). It will guide the preparation and execution of all projects and programmes.
All other planning documents including the medium-term expenditure framework, the annual development plans and annual Budgets will be drawn from the CIDP.
He pledged to support residents to actively participate in development.
(Edited by V. Graham)