A Senate team on Wednesday put Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua on the spot over Sh 2.8 billion in debts.
The senators expressed fears that successive governments may inherit huge debts saying Dr Mutua was unable to produce receipts to show how he arrived at a lesser figure for the outstanding debts.
They challenged Dr Mutua to show evidence that the contractors owed money were paid.
"The governor says it is not Sh2.8 billion but Sh400 million. Anybody can generate figures. We need names of companies and contracts that led to the pending bills," Boni Khalwale said as quoted by Nation.
He termed it as a serious issue that might prompt them to put up advertisements and invite contractors owed money to confirm.
John Lonyangapuo, West Pokot, who chaired the session, regretted that some county executives issue contracts without following the law and accused county assemblies of approving them.
Martha Wangari said governors with outstanding debts must be held responsible lest the new county governments inherit huge figures to deal with.
The governor, who was accompanied by a large delegation that included former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile, appeared before the Senate's County Public Accounts and Investments Committee in Nairobi.