MACHAKOS, Kenya — Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has issued a detailed clarification on pending supplier payments, distancing the county government from claims made by an individual alleging non-payment and addressing recent tensions in Machakos Town.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ndeti responded to concerns raised by Sammy Kioko, following an incident on March 31 that she termed “unfortunate,” urging restraint and adherence to lawful processes.
“As a County Government, we do not condone violence in any form, and we urge all parties to exercise restraint,” she said.
The governor clarified that Kioko is not a registered supplier of the county, noting that the entity contracted to supply inspectorate uniforms was Movata Designs. She added that any individual acting on behalf of a company must present proper legal authorization, including a power of attorney or formal appointment.
“We acknowledge that supplies were made by Movata Designs; however, partial delivery occurred towards the close of the financial year 2023/2024 and therefore inspection and acceptance… could not be conducted,” Ndeti explained.
As a result, the payment was classified as a pending bill in line with provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, which governs public expenditure and accountability.
Ndeti said her administration established a Pending Bills Committee, guided by recommendations from the Office of the Auditor-General and the Office of the Controller of Budget, to verify inherited claims.
The verification process reviewed pending bills amounting to Sh3.81 billion and found that only Sh2.13 billion qualified as legitimate and payable. The remaining Sh1.69 billion was deemed ineligible, including Sh927.6 million in unverified legal fees and Sh757.9 million linked to incomplete documentation.
Since taking office, Ndeti said her administration has settled Sh642.3 million of the verified claims, leaving an outstanding balance of Sh1.48 billion.
“This outstanding balance will be systematically addressed through the First Supplementary Budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and subsequent financial years,” she said.
The governor emphasised her administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management, noting that payments would be made based on verified claims and available resources.
