Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has formed a seven-member committee to audit the county's Sh1.3 pending bills.
He said the county government will not spend any money in paying contractors who did shoddy work.
Kiraitu told journalists at his office on Thursday that the committee will sieve genuine claims from the dozens that the country is being asked to settle.
He said the Pending Bills Scrutiny Committee will make recommendations on whether the work done is worth the value of the contracts under study.
The team will also check if the previous administration complied with procurement processes for the contracts that are yet to be paid.
"They will also confirm if services rendered were within the approved budget, if certificates were issued for work done, and to confirm whether invoices, receipts, and completion certificates match with the LPO/LSO and contract sums," Kiraitu said.
The committee will also check whether goods were delivered in the right quality and quantity as well as establish whether the county had funds at the close of the respective financial year to pay contractors and suppliers.
"We expect the committee to make recommendations for criminal investigations and recovery of assets in cases of apparent fraud, theft or corruption."
The committee members are Riungu M'ikieni (Chairperson), Beatrice Baariu (vice chairperson) with Kainga Mitu, Mbaya Karichu, John Murithi, Nyamu Nyaga and Kimathi Muthomi as members.
Kiraitu said the group will work with the DCI to arrest those who will present fraudulent claims to the committee.
The committee has 90 days to finalise its tasks, the county boss added.
Deputy governor Titus Ntuchiu said these are among measures the administration is taking to safeguard public finances.
"It is only fair that we verify the authenticity and validity of this bills with a view to servicing genuine ones and disregarding those that are fraudulent," Ntuchiu said.
He added the probe is not a witch-hunting exercise but is aimed at getting value for goods and services supplied to the county government.
"The bills whose legitimacy this committee positively establishes will be dispensed with speed depending on availability of funds," he said.
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