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Counties collectively still owe more than Sh194 billion to suppliers and contractors, a new report shows.

Of the Sh194 billion in pending bills, some Sh149.50 billion is for recurrent expenditure while Sh44.51 billion is for development, the Controller of Budget says in the latest County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report.

According to the Controller of Budget (COB) Dr Margaret Nyakang’o, the accumulation of pending bills hinders service delivery and disrupts business operations.

“The accumulation of pending bills negatively affects public service delivery and disrupts business operations. County governments are advised to prioritise the settlement of eligible pending bills as a first charge to their budgets in compliance with the law,” says Nyakang’o.

She went on: “In addition, we request the County Governments to adhere to the Senate resolution communicated through their May 9,2024 letter, mandating that all verified pending bills be cleared by FY 2024/25.”

As of September 30, 2024, counties reported outstanding pending bills, with Governor Johnson Sakaja at Nairobi City County leading with a staggering Sh121.06 billion, followed by the northern Kenya County of Garissa at Sh6.07 billion, Kiambu at Sh5.90 billion, Turkana at Sh4.78 billion, Machakos at Sh4.42 billion, and Mombasa at Sh3.93 billion respectively.

The first quarter County Governments’ Budget Implementation Review Report (CGBIRR) for FY 2024/25, covering July to September 2024 shows that Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o of Kisumu is yet to settle a Sh2.7 billion pending bill, his Kisii counterpart Simba Arati has Sh2.3 billion hanging on his head while Tana River’s Dhadho Godana is yet to settle some Sh2.1 billion.

The report further shows that Kilifi’s Gideon Mungaro has Sh2 billion in pending bills and Kajiado’s Joseph ole Lenku is yet to settle some Sh2 billion respectively.

In the report of the first quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year, Governor Andrew Mwadime of Taita Taveta reported that it still owes suppliers and other contractors 1.9 billion, Embu’s Cecil Mbarire Sh1.9 billion, Mandera’s Mohamed Adan Khalif Sh1.8 billion and Migori’s Ochillo Ayacko Sh1.7 billion respectively.

In the same breadth, Kwale’s Fatuma Achani Sh1.66 billion, Laikipia’s Joshua Irungu Sh1.64 billion, Wajir’s Ahmed Abdullahi Sh1.6 billion, Kakamega’s Fernandes Baraza Sh1.56 billion while Nakuru’s Susan Kihika is yet to settle some Sh1.50 billion respectively in pending bills.

Governor Ken Lusaka led Bungoma County is yet to settle some Sh1.58 billion,  Governor Patrick ole Ntutu’s Narok County is yet to settle Sh1.503 billion, Vihiga’s Wilbur Ottichillo Sh1.4 billion, Busia’s Paul Otwoma Sh137 billion, Nyandarua Sh1.22 billion, Meru’s Kawira Mwangaza Sh1.21 billion, her Muranga counterpart Dr Irungu Kang’ata Sh1.1 billion while Governor Hillary Barchock led Bomet County is having Sh1 billion pending bills.

The report further shows that Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo is yet to settle Sh1.08 billion, his Kirinyaga counterpart and immediate former Council of Governors Chair Anne Waiguru is yet to clear Sh1.02 billion, Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali still owes some Sh998.2 million while George Natembeya of Trans Nzoia still has Sh889.4 million in pending bills.

Nyamira’s Amos Nyaribo is yet to settle some Sh784 million, Nandi’s Stephen Sang has Sh725 million pending bill hanging on his head, Homa Bay’s Glady’s Wanga is yet to clear Sh665 million, her Uasin Gishu counterpart Jonathan Bill has Sh650 million while Samburu’s Jonathan Lelelit has Sh621 million to settle respectively.  

Governor Simon Kachapin led West Pokot County is yet to settle Sh511.6 million in pending bills, Makueni Sh429 million,  Siaya Sh424 million, Tharaka Nithi Sh415 million, Kitui Sh393 million, Baringo Sh378 million, respectively. In sharp contrast Governor Issa Timamy led Lamu county is owing suppliers and contractors a paltry Sh49 million, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Wisley Rotich still has some Sh67 million to be settled, Nyeri Sh215 million while Governor Dr Eric Mutai led Kericho county is yet to settle a Sh327 million in pending bills.