The Busia County Government has committed to settling its Kshs2.6 billion in outstanding pending bills owed to local suppliers, promising full clearance by the end of the 2026/2027 Financial Year. 

This pledge came during a heated session of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget, held in Busia Town as part of the ongoing Senate Mashinani program.

Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma and his executive team were hard pressed by Senators, who argued that paying the bills would significantly improve the economic well-being of the border county's residents.

Senator Tabitha Mutinda, the Vice Chairperson of the Finance Committee, demanded a concrete strategy from the Governor, asking, “Tell us directly how you’re planning to clear the Kshs2.6 billion pending bills. Why haven’t you paid these bills in the last three financial years, which you now say you will pay?”

Governor Otuoma outlined a two-pronged approach for the next two financial years: "My county executive will dedicate 30 per cent of the current budget to pending bills, amounting to Kshs781 million. An additional Kshs520 million will be factored in through a supplementary budget. This totals an expected reduction of Kshs1.3 billion in the current year. 

In the subsequent 2026/2027 Financial Year, the county will again commit 30 per cent of its budget to the bills. Another Kshs520 million will be set aside through a supplementary budget. This is expected to clear the remaining balance of approximately Kshs1.3 billion by 2027,” he said. 

The Governor explained that the decision was the result of "hard decisions" and extensive consultations, noting that initially, only about Kshs600 million was deemed "eligible for payments."

To resolve the issue, he formed an implementation committee to grapple with other claims, particularly those eligible but missing crucial documents.

“I think one of the hardest decisions that I had to make, was to stop initiating new projects and clear the pending bills before we can begin new programs,” he said. 

Furthermore, Governor Otuoma stressed the need to improve internal revenue collection to prevent the debt from recurring, noting that measures will be taken to “ensure that we don’t continue to underperform in terms of revenue and revenue collection, because if we still continue to underperform, it means we will continue to incur additional spending bills.”

Despite the commitment, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah raised significant concerns over the criteria used for payments, accusing the county of favoring recent debts over older ones.

“It disturbs me that you do not have clear and objective criteria for paying these pending bills. You can choose who to pay and who not to pay. I’m not seeing any logic in the way you are clearing these pending bills,” Senator Omtatah submitted.

The legislator argued that the process looked like officials were "managing a float in a manner that they influence," suggesting the use of discretionary measures that allow new bills to be introduced and settled while older ones languish.

Senators Mohamed Faki (Mombasa), Mariam Omar (Nominated), and Esther Okenyuri (Nominated) were also in attendance, with Sen. Omtatah appearing as a friend of the Committee.