[Photo/standardmedia.co.ke]
County government is wallowing in a Sh1 billion debt accrued from services rendered during the previous administration and the former county and municipal councils.
Governor Ferdinand Waititu said some of the pending bills are not genuine and has since directed respective ministers in his government to conduct an audit on the same.
“We are having pending bills and reliable sources told us some are not genuine and I have directed the County Executive Committee members to conduct audits immediately,” he said, adding that he would give an audit report once the exercise is complete.
He said his administration will only pay for ongoing projects and not those already invoiced, noting that most of them are non-existent and those making claims on them are criminals.
Speaking at the county headquarters Friday, Waititu said the county’s wage bill has reached unmanageable levels as hundreds of ghost workers continue to worsen the situation.
“There are very many people receiving salaries yet are not workers of the county. We will soon expose and punish them according to the law,” he said.
Waititu said the county has 7,000 workers who are consuming 70 percent of its revenue, thereby, compromising local development. The governor said his administration will soon downsize its staff to realize its development agenda.
He warned his staff against engaging in corruption as those found culpable would be dealt with harshly and expeditiously. He also warned members of his Executive against lackluster performance, saying anyone found incompetent would be shown the door immediately.