Treasury releases Sh11 billion to 18 counties to clear pending bills

The National Treasury has released a total of Sh11 billion to 18 counties.

Acting Treasury CS Ukur Yatani in a circular on Wednesday said the 18 counties had presented clear and acceptable plans for settlement of validated pending bills.

Yatani, who doubles as the Labour CS, said another Sh7.3 billion has been released to 12 counties which have fully paid their pending bills.

According to Yatani, Elgeyo Marakwet will get Sh386.1 million, Homa Bay will get Sh674.1 million, Kajiado Sh642.4 million, Kericho Sh538 million while Kilifi gets the lion's share of Sh1.04 billion.

Kwale county has been allocated Sh778.5 million, Laikipia Sh417.7 million, Makueni Sh740.6 million, Nyamira Sh481 million, Nyandarua Sh487.4 million, Nyeri Sh541.2 million and Uasin Gishu Sh633 million.

For the 18 counties that have presented a clear plan to clear their bills, Baringo county will get Sh509,565,000, Bomet Sh550,710,000, Embu Sh430,440,000, GarissaSh702,630,000, Isiolo Sh424,110,000, Kiambu Sh943,170,000, Kirinyaga Sh424, 110,000, Kitui Sh883, 035,000 and Machakos Sh775,425,000.

Others are Meru Sh803,910,000, Migori Sh677,310,000, Mombasa Sh705,795,000, Nandi Sh534,885,000, Narok Sh803,910,000, Taita Taveta Sh424,110,000, Tana River Sh585,525,000, Tharaka Nithi Sh392,460,000 and Vihiga Sh465,255,000.

Last month, the government issued a directive asking the county governments and State departments that had not cleared their pending bills to do so before November 30.

All the affected counties and departments had been urged by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua to indicate that they are willing to settle the matter by reporting to his office.

President Uhuru Kenyatta had ordered the state ministries, departments and agencies during Madaraka Day celebrations to clear their pending bills. "Note that the government has made a commitment to complete these payments by 30th November 2019. I urge everyone involved to take the necessary measures to meet the deadline," part of Joseph Kinyua's statement read.

Most counties seemed to have ignored Uhuru’s directive, sending most contractors and suppliers into problems.

During the Madaraka Day event, Uhuru gave two directives, including compelling state corporations from trading in treasury bills and directing the state corporations to clear pending bills from the suppliers.

Fifteen counties had by then not cleared their pending bills.

This move saw the Senate ask the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to probe the Sh130 billion pending bills in counties, amid claims of inflation and fictitious amounts owed to contractors.

The lawmakers wanted DCI boss George Kinoti and DPP Noordin Haji to swiftly swing into action and unravel the mystery behind the ballooning bills across the 47 county governments.