Ballooning pending bills in Vihiga now threatens to undermine development and progress so far made in the county.
Pending bills stood at Sh1.17 billion as at June this year, the biggest financial challenge facing the county government, according to Governor Wilber Ottichilo.
Ottichilo however said the county has taken ambitious steps including a major restructuring of the public service to stabilise its financial standing.
He said the county has increased allocations in each financial year’s budget for settling pending bills, with plans for additional allocations through each supplementary budget.
Other measures include adoption of a structured payment plan to clear debts as they fall due and ensuring unpaid bills at the end of the financial year are re-budgeted and treated as a priority.
“Going forward, my administration has implemented stringent measures to guide budget implementation across departments to prevent further accumulation of pending bills,” the governor said.
“This issue of pending bills has been with us for far too long and it must be resolved before the end of my tenure. I need the strong and focused support of the county assembly for us to finally bury it,” Ottichilo said.
The governor also announced the formation of an ad-hoc committee to periodically review pending bills, adding that his administration is committed to adhering strictly to budgetary allocations for current projects and outstanding bills.
He said the county workforce was cut from 7,173 employees to 4,189, a move executed jointly with the Public Service Commission to align with the national call to tame the runaway wage bills.
He described the downsizing exercise as a painful but necessary sacrifice for the county’s long-term fiscal health.
“It was not an easy decision but it was the right one for the future of our county.” he said.
Even with the financial strain, the governor outlined substantial progress that he said reflects a county on a steady upward path.
According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Vihiga is now ranked the fourth fastest-growing county in Kenya, with its Gross County Product rising from Sh68.65 billion in 2018 to Sh109 billion in 2024.
Ottichilo also highlighted major strides in governance and innovation, including Vihiga’s rise as the country’s leader in Geographic Information Systems integrated planning. He said 38 counties have visited Vihiga for benchmarking on geospatial governance.
“GIS has revolutionised how we plan, budget and monitor development,” the governor said, noting that the system has enhanced transparency and efficiency.
In the health sector, he celebrated national recognition for Vihiga’s exceptional performance, including having the third lowest maternal mortality rate and the highest immunisation coverage in Kenya.
He also pointed to the operationalisation of the Vihiga Teaching and Referral Hospital and the completion of a modern maternal and child hospital.
However, he admitted persistent gaps, especially equipment breakdowns that disrupt essential services.
“Our people deserve uninterrupted services. We must improve our maintenance systems and invest in new equipment where necessary,” he said.
by HILTON OTENYO
