Governor explains Sh2.4 billion unspent funds

Governor Stanley Kiptis has disputed claims that his administration returned Sh2.4 billion to the Treasury after failing to utilise the funds for development projects in the just concluded 2018/2019 budget.

Mr Kiptis, however, explained the only money that was retained at the Treasury was Sh1.3 billion after contractors failed to complete the projects on time.

“The contractors could not finish work on various projects and, therefore, we could not pay them. The money will be paid to contractors after they complete the projects as per the contractual terms," the governor said yesterday.

The county chief said his administration was working on the issue of roll over of funds.

His Chief of Staff Hillary Songoyo said the administration was misunderstood following the claims, adding that the funds would be used to pay contractors after completing the projects.

"The money is committed to projects and there is no way the county could have paid contractors who have not delivered on projects. The money is intact," Mr Songoyo told The Standard.

Contractors, he said, are currently going on with projects and they would be paid once they complete them.

He further explained that the county government is never in possession of money from the Treasury but makes requisition of funds from the Controller of Budget once they receive claims from contractors and suppliers.

"It is not right to talk of any return of money to the National Treasury, monies that never came into the possession of the county government in the first place," he explained.

The County Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee, in its report, said the funds would be rolled over to 2019/20 financial year.

The Health department had the highest rollover of over Sh651.8 million followed by the Water and Irrigation docket with slightly over Sh621 million.