Garissa Governor Ali Korane takes the oath of office at Garissa Primary School on August 21. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
The Garissa County Government has a huge debt amounting to Sh4.3 billion which is owed to contractors and other service providers.The county government inherited the debt from the previous administration, with the Roads and Public Works department having the biggest debt of Sh1.3 billion.The Revenue department has a debt of Sh3.5 million, with other liabilities spread across 13 other departments under devolved units, The Star has reported.The Assumption of Office Report given to Garissa Governor Ali Korane showed that the County Affairs department has a debt of about Sh100.5 million, Culture has a burden of Sh10.8 million, Livestock has a Sh67.1 million debt while the Agriculture department’s liability stands at Sh29.1 million.Governor Korane had earlier said the previous government did little to end corruption and transforming the lives of the people.“I am inheriting a government that not only failed to implement development programmes but also allowed rampant corruption and a bloated workforce,” said Governor Korane, as quoted by the local daily.The Department of Public Service has a debt of Sh17.1 million, Trade Sh141.4 million while the Health department has a Sh78.3 million debt. Other departments having huge debts include Lands with Sh198.5 million, Environment Sh352.7 million, Education Sh224 million, Youth and Sports Sh60.1 million, Water Sh773.9 million and Finance Sh973.7 million.The assumption of office committee chaired by County Secretary Mohamud Mursal has requested the Governor to set up an independent board to look at the assets, liabilities and human resource in the county.Governor Korane sent chief officers and county executive committee members on compulsory leave, in a move that is part of county government’s restructuring process.