Murang’a County has moved a step closer to settling pending bills from previous administrations after a county-appointed committee cleared 14 claims for payment while rejecting 48 others as untenable. The Ineligible Pending Bills Resolution Committee, chaired by Edwin Kimuyu, released its findings on September 6, citing missing mandatory documents such as Local Purchase Orders, tender notices, evaluation minutes, inspection reports, and certificates of completion. The committee advised affected claimants to seek legal recourse or consult the Kenya National Audit Office for further guidance.
The pending bills verification process followed an earlier review that cleared 171 out of 514 claims, authorizing payments amounting to over Sh642 million. Among the key outstanding liabilities is the Murang’a Milk Factory in Maragua, established in 2017 to enhance dairy value addition for local farmers. The factory, which accumulated losses since 2019, is set to have its assets and liabilities transferred to the Murang’a Creameries Cooperative Union (MCCU), a process projected to take 60 days, as part of efforts by Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration to revive the facility. Meanwhile, 65 other claims require further verification by the county procurement department, with claimants instructed to consult the office starting November 2023.
County officials emphasized that the staggered clearing of validated bills would begin in January 2024, ensuring that legitimate suppliers and contractors receive due payment. The move is expected to restore confidence among local businesses and contractors, many of whom had lodged appeals following the initial verification process. Observers note that while the resolution addresses part of the backlog, sustained efforts in transparency and procurement oversight will be crucial to prevent future accumulation of unresolved financial claims and to strengthen the county’s fiscal management.