Busia County Commits to Clearing Ksh2.6 Billion Pending Bills by 2027
The Busia County Government has pledged to clear its backlog of Ksh2.6 billion in pending bills by the end of the 2026/2027 Financial Year, offering a much-needed lifeline to suppliers who have waited years for payment. The commitment was issued during a tense sitting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget in Busia Town, held under the ongoing Senate Mashinani initiative. Governor Paul Otuoma and his executive were pushed to outline a concrete plan to settle the massive debt, with senators insisting that clearing the arrears would boost local businesses and revive the county’s sluggish economy.
The session quickly grew heated when Senator Tabitha Mutinda, the Committee’s Vice Chairperson, questioned why the county had failed to pay the bills over the last three financial years. In response, Governor Otuoma unveiled a detailed two-year strategy that includes dedicating 30 per cent of the current budget—about Ksh781 million—towards pending bills, alongside an additional Ksh520 million through a supplementary budget. He said this would halve the outstanding debt by the end of the current financial year, with a similar allocation planned for 2026/2027 to clear the remainder. Otuoma noted that the decision to divert large portions of the budget followed hard decisions and extensive internal consultations, including the formation of a special committee to verify claims, especially those lacking documentation.
However, the county’s plan drew sharp criticism from Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who questioned the fairness and transparency of the payment criteria. Omtatah argued that the county appeared to prioritize newer bills over older ones, creating what he described as an environment where officials could choose who to pay and who not to pay. He warned that such discretion was dangerous and could allow manipulation of the process, particularly if the county failed to improve its own-source revenue performance.
Looking ahead, Governor Otuoma said the administration would temporarily halt the launch of new development projects until the pending bills are fully settled. He added that revenue reforms will be central to preventing a recurrence of debt accumulation. The Senate Committee is expected to continue monitoring Busia’s progress, as pressure mounts on devolved units nationwide to demonstrate prudent financial management and restore supplier confidence.