Turkana contractors tried to storm Governor Joseph Nanok's hotel meeting in Lodwar to demand payment of pending bills before end of the financial year.
The demonstration was peaceful at first. Contractors and suppliers marched to the governor's office.
When they learned he wasn't there, they attempted to storm his meeting at a Lodwar hotel demanding payment by the end of the year.
Lemi Njiru, subcounty commander of Turkana Central, pleaded with them not to enter the gate and wait for the governor at his office. They departed.
Nanok said later the county has requisitioned about Sh2.8 billion to pay contractors, suppliers and staff.
Contractors said even after completing projects and supplying goods on time, they haven't been paid.
Led by interim chairman for Turkana contractors Andrew Lomariat they said their debts must be paid by the end of the financial year, in a day.
“We are protesting over pending bills, we have worked for this government since the start of devolution. Some contractors were paid and others' bills haven't been honoured," he said.
"Most contractors are losing. After completion of projects, it can take two to three years to get paid," he said.
Nanok said they have enough money to settle all debts once approved by the Controller of the Budget.
“We had a good discussion with contractors. There's a lot of concern over payment of contractors and even county government staff," he told the press in his office.
"We are looking forward to making all the payments approved by the Controller of Budget,” Nanok said.
He said his senior officers, including the county executive and chief officer for finance are working closely with the COB.
“If payment is not done within this financial week, then it will be shifted to the next financial year and the next government will prioritise settling approved pending bills," Nanok said.
In May the Finance chief officer Abraham Losinyen said they don’t keep the money for contractors nor have they refused to pay anyone.
“We have not been able to get money from the Controller of Budget. It's unfortunate that we had challenges for the last two months that affected the cash flow,” he said.
Losinyen said a report from the office of the Auditor-General done last year and released in March directed the county government to come up with a plan to pay eligible bills.
He said they were directed to develop payment plans to clear pending bills before they could be allowed to access the operational money at the Central Bank of Kenya.
Losinyen said the issue has been addressed as they have managed to pay over Sh60 million that was supposed to be paid.
“We have made progress in paying. We have been allowed to access the office of the Controller of Budget who is currently processing all our requisitions, which are before them,” he said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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