Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya has appointed former auditor general Edward Ouko to chair a task force that will probe the existing pending bills in his county.
Ouko and his team have been given 30 days to interrogate the ballooning pending bills and the county's workforce.
"My administration will not pay any single pending bill that the former government failed to pay. Until this task force proves otherwise, I will not," said Natembeya in an exclusive interview with the Star.
The tough-talking Governor further said that Ouko’s team will enjoy sweeping powers to summon any individual currently in service and those that left to shed light on all transactions made during their time.
This, he revealed, will greatly assist the team in its work which shall include reviewing all pending bills from contractors.
Ouko’s team, he said, will investigate works that were done plus get all evidence of receipts of goods and services offered.
"They must be able to verify the physical location where works claimed to have been done were carried out," he added.
The incomplete Sh1. 6 billion Trans Nzoia County Teaching and Referral Hospital is among the projects that contractors are demanding payment.
Other members of the task force are Jamin Kwanusu ( Secretary)Alex Rugera, Chris Wasike, Imelda Midzukani, Kirato Wanjala and Jared Nyaundi.
He added that it was not practical to build a hospital for 10 years and still claim to be paid.
The sittings of the task force will be held at the Governor’s Town Hall Office.
