Senator James Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga) has called for urgent action over mounting pending bills owed to contractors and suppliers by the County Government of Kirinyaga, warning that the delays are crippling businesses and threatening livelihoods.

In a Statement request directed to the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget, Sen Murango is seeking a comprehensive breakdown of all outstanding payments, including the total amounts unpaid as of the close of the 2023/24 financial year and the duration over which these debts have accumulated.

The senator has also demanded an explanation of measures, if any, that have been put in place to ensure the County Government clears the arrears without further delay. He argues that persistent non-payment has left contractors and suppliers unable to service loans, pushing many to the brink of financial collapse.

Beyond immediate payments, Sen Murango is pressing for a broader response from the government and relevant agencies, calling for policy and legal interventions to prevent counties from routinely accumulating unpaid bills, which affect businesses' ability to operate and grow.

Turning to the education sector, Sen Murango has also sought a Statement from the Senate Committee on Education regarding the disbursement and review of capitation to public primary and secondary schools.

He has requested details on outstanding capitation arrears for the 2024 academic year and a clear timeline for disbursement of both the pending amounts and the first-term allocation for 2025.

Furthermore, the senator demands clarity on whether the government intends to review the per-learner capitation, which has remained unchanged since 2017 despite rising costs and inflation. He argues that underfunding is placing immense pressure on schools, jeopardising their ability to provide quality education.