Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has until October 30, 2023 to submit a comprehensive report on the question of pending bills in the County.

Governor Arati who appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget told the committee that his government inherited pending bills documented for the financial year 2021/2022 as at June 30, 2022 amounting to Ksh. 1,393,854,414.

Hon. Simba who was responding to the questions by Sen. Richard Onyonka through a request for a statement on the status of pending bills at Kisii County, revealed to the committee that on assuming office in September 2022, his government encountered lack of clarity and explanation on the eligibility of pending bills necessitating the establishment of the County Pending Bills Verification and Ineligible Resolution Committee to look into the matter.

The committee reported that the pending bill was at 1,611,173,207 inclusive of inherited bill from the previous administration.

Out of the 1,611,173,207 pending bills, Governor Arati submitted that only 231,443,170 was found to be eligible.

The County has so far settled what it refers to as eligible bills amounting to 111,963,877.20 leaving a balance of 119,479,254.80 that has been factored in the financial year 2023/2024.

Governor Arati told the committee that pending bills for 90 entities were a suspect of fraud forcing his administration to halt any payment to them.

He however said his government established an internal desk to receive complaints from regarding bills found to be ineligible with Hon. Arati revealing to the committee that the desk will be closed by end of August 2023 before embarking on report writing.

Members of the Senate Committee called on Governor Arati and his administration to handle the issue of pending bills objectively and ensure there is justice for all the parties involved.

The committee resolved to at a later date invite the former Governor James Ongwae and a section of the entities involved to shed light on the matter.

Members of the committee in attendance were Mandera County Senator Ali Roba (Chairperson), Sen. Tabitha Mutinda (Vice Chairperson), Migori County Senator Eddy Oketch, Mombasa County Senator Mohamed Faki, Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka, Sen. Shakila Abdalla and Kakamega County Senator Dr. Boni Khalwale.