A new report released by the Controller of Budget identified counties with serious problems in settling pending bills owed to contractors and suppliers.
Nairobi, Kiambu and Mombasa were listed among the seven counties struggling with the largest backlogs of unpaid obligations.
Contractors and suppliers in these regions waited for more than three years to receive payment for completed projects and delivered goods.
The audit showed that most pending bills in the counties remained unsettled for extended periods despite being verified.
The delays affected both contractors and suppliers who had conducted legitimate business with the devolved administrations.
The prolonged non-payment created financial strain for many businesses that depended on government contracts for revenue.
Nairobi County emerged as one of the hardest hit, with contractors reporting years of waiting without compensation.
Kiambu County also recorded a significant backlog of unsettled supplier bills, contributing to the crisis.
Mombasa County was equally flagged in the audit for long-standing pending bills to contractors and service providers.
The issue covered a total of seven counties, pointing to a wider national concern beyond the three highlighted.
The audit tied the crisis to inadequate prioritisation of debt repayment by county administrations, which diverted funds elsewhere.
Some contractors abandoned projects after failing to receive payment for completed phases of work.
Others faced rising debt burdens as they waited for disbursement from the county treasuries.
The report underscored the impact of financial mismanagement on service delivery in the affected regions.
https://nation.africa/kenya/counties/pending-bills-why-you-should-think-twice-before-doing-business-with-counties–5201756
About The Author
