Contractors and suppliers in Taita Taveta county are now requesting that the county assembly advocate for the settlement of unpaid debts totaling millions of shillings.
Jefferson Mwabili, the chairman of the contractor, said on Thursday that the county owed them money but had not yet paid them, saying that this debt was a factor in the failure of their companies. According to Mwabili, the delayed payment has left local contractors unable to repay debts, putting them at risk of having their homes repossessed and sold at auction by lenders. Taita Taveta MCAs are contacted by contractors for unpaid debts
“After being put up for auction by lenders, many of our members have subsequently stopped doing business. Mwabili addressed the Assembly’s Committee on Budget, Finance, and Appropriations, saying, “We are pleading with the government to take into consideration paying the bills as soon as feasible.
More than Sh852 million in outstanding invoices are being sought by the contractors and suppliers. He said that much of the expenses were incurred by the previous governor, Granton Samboja. The county administration is presently reviewing the outstanding debts before approving payment.
Further insisting on the need for expedited verification, Mwabili noted that some members had become depressed after using up all of their investments to provide services.
“Due to bills, several of our members have ended up going through despair. This issue requires urgent attention since one of us just committed suicide under the strain of debt, he remarked.
He advised that the county establish a special committee for the purpose of verifying outstanding debts each fiscal year in order to prevent the problem of succeeding administrations blaming predecessor administrations.