Govt hasnt paid suppliers Ksh.32B, Parliament told

It has now emerged that the National Government is yet to pay contractors and suppliers in excess of Ksh.32.4billion.

According to a report from the National Treasury tabled before a Parliamentary committee on Tuesday, the Defence Ministry has the highest debt pegged at Ksh.8.9billion.

The committee of Implementation was also told that the Health Ministry has an outstanding bill of Ksh.7.1billion while the Interior Ministry debt is Ksh.5.4billion.

Pending bills within State Departments include Infrastructure (Ksh.7.5million), Correctional Services (Ksh.914million), Broadcasting and Telecommunication (Ksh.3.2billion) and Regional and Northern Corridor Development (Ksh.1.4million).

The National Treasury had directed all government entities to ensure that all debt is paid before entering into any new commitments.

Recently, Central Bank of Kenya Governor Patrick Njoroge attributed at least 10 per cent of loans defaulted in the country last year to pending bills from both National And County Governments.

This, with only three months to end of the current financial year.