Nairobi governor Evans Kidero has threatened to shut down key National Government departments over a Sh66 billion debt by the state accumulated since 2009.
In a statement sent to the press, Kidero said his government would run a massive clampdown exercise that may cripple services at the Office of the President (OP) and Department of Defence (DoD) among others.
"The National Government has accumulated massive debts owing from its various organs to the Nairobi City County. The Nairobi City County Government is concerned that the National Government has not been responsive to the constitutional call for collaboration in service delivery. The county will close entrances to errant State offices if they do not clear the debts," read the statement.
Kidero maintained that the county was not a junior government since the Constitution has established that the two are enjoined to collaborate and co-operate in the provision and delivery of services to citizens.
Early this week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said that it was improper for the county to demand payment from the national government saying that the latter had a superior placement.
He added that the National Treasury has made countless reminders to the government departments to pay up yet their calls remain ignored.
“In the meantime, if there is no immediate settlement of the dues, our demand will be escalated to the next level through legal means and withdrawal of services to non-complying institutions,” warned the City boss.
Some of the National government organs that have accrued outstanding debts include the Ministry of Defence (Sh60B), KBC (Sh2.2B), Kenya Cultural Centre (Sh1.1B) and the Office of the President (Sh63 million).