Africa-Press – Kenya. National and county government agencies have accumulated pending bills amounting to Sh637.91 billion, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has revealed.
Appearing before the Senate Public Investments Committee, Nyakang’o said the ministries, departments and agencies owe supplies and contractors Sh80. 28 billion.
State corporations owe Sh400.68 billion while counties are grappling with a huge debt totalling Sh157. 91 billion. Nyakang’o told the panel chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi that the pending figures were at December 31, 2022.
She cited the exaggeration of revenue by various entities and the diversion of funds meant to clear the debt have led to the accumulation of the bills.
“If you anticipate that you get a certain amount of revenue and that fails to happen, then you will incur pending bills,” she said. The COB said late disbursement of funds by the national treasury and Ifmis-related problems have also led to huge bills.
“Even if there is cash in the accounts, the procurement module in Ifmis is activated. Therefore, you cannot make any payments,” she said. Incomplete procurement records and human error have also contributed to the accumulation of the bills.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
