Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi has distanced himself from the Monday demos by contractors who demanded payment of their arrears.
Speaking to the press on Monday in his office, Deputy Governor Maangi instead said he had agreed to meet all contractors complaining of non-payment of their dues so that they could deliberate on the issue.
“I don’t know why the contractors chose to demonstrate yet I was waiting them in my office so that we could discuss on their issue. I did not want to meet them in section and that is why I told them to come to my office today. I did not incite the contractors as alleged,” he denied.
The contractors alleged that Deputy Governor Maangi incited them that prompted them hold demos in order to be paid their money.
Led by their group chair, Jackson Ogembo, the contractors decried over delay in payment of their money backdating to the year 2013.
The contractors had threatened on Sunday that they were to storm in the county’s office if they could not get proper communication over the impending issue.
They wondered why they were not paid off their arrears yet their payment reflected in the 2013/2014 budget.
According to Finance Minister, Kodeck Omwancha, the county pays contactors according to the work done and therefore confirmed all who have complied with the bargaining agreement have been paid.
“Its misleading that we have not paid contractors. What happens that they don’t want to say is that, we pay them according to the work done. If the work done is at for instance 40 per cent, we pay according to that percentage. How can one expect to be paid all the money yet they have not completed the assignment?” CeC Omwancha questioned.