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Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has warned contractors to be wary of brokers who want to con them their money under the guise that they will influence the county government to pay them pending bills for shoddy work and ghost projects.

He said a taskforce he formed to review the pending bills would present its report, adding that only genuine contractors who completed their work and were certified would be paid.

“The Controller of Budget ( COB) has approved our supplementary budget and the county government will give priority to paying pending bills,” Arati told the press in Kisii town on Monday, March 6.

The governor, flanked by his deputy Robert Monda said he inherited Ksh1.8 billion debts from the previous government, adding that about Ksh500 million was genuine bills and said the county government was to lose Ksh1.3 b to ghost projects.

He cited the governor’s residence which cost Ksh13 million but the contractor was demanding to be paid Ksh45 million without any justification.

Similarly, the governor noted a contractor who was given a tender to construct Kiamwasi Early Childhood Development Education ( ECDE) classrooms in Kitutu Central sub-county at a cost of Ksh 6 million never did the work but was demanding the money.

“No classes were built. The children are learning in mud-walled classrooms under pathetic conditions. How can such a contractor ask to be paid?“ Arati posed.

Some people purporting to be contractors noted the governor had threatened to camp at his stadium offices to force the government to pay them.

Arati warns revenue officers

The governor warned revenue officers who embezzled public funds, saying they will be sacked and jailed to deter others.

“I have a list of corrupt officers and will present the names to the Ethics and anti-corruption Commission ( EACC) officers to nab and prosecute them,” Arati noted.

The governor asserted the corrupt officers had bought land and were building, noting the funds they stole could be used to buy drugs for patients to boost health care services.