Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti has taken a hard-line position on billions of shillings in pending bills inherited from the previous administration, declaring that her government will not settle any claims deemed illegitimate.
Speaking on Monday while presiding over the signing of Performance Management Contracts, Governor Ndeti said her administration inherited pending bills amounting to more than Sh3.3 billion from former Governor Alfred Mutua, describing the figure as equivalent to two years’ worth of county expenditure.
“I was left with serious problems. The former Governor left pending bills of over Sh3.3 billion. That is money from two years. Had it not been for prudence and wisdom, Machakos would have been ruined,” Ndeti said.
The governor faulted the previous administration, terming it inefficient and ineffective, and accusing it of failing to prioritize the welfare of Machakos residents.
“We are unapologetic in saying that it was an inefficient and ineffective government — a government that did not have the people of Machakos at heart,” she added.
Governor Ndeti maintained that her administration will only honor genuine and verified claims, warning that any parties aggrieved by the decision are free to seek redress elsewhere.
“I will not pay what is not genuine. Anyone who feels offended can take the matter wherever they deem fit,” she said.
Ndeti assumed office in 2022 after defeating Mutua, and the two leaders have since engaged in public exchanges over the management of the county, including the status of development projects and financial obligations left behind by the former administration.
