Kidero wants military compelled to pay County Ksh 61.5B

Nairobi Governor, Dr Evans Kidero, on Thursday, November 10 petitioned the Senate Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee in a bid to recover more than 61.5 billion shillings owed to the county by the Department of Defence (DOD).

While appearing before the Mutula Kilonzo Jr-chaired committee, Kidero urged Senators to enact a law outlining procedure for amicable and fast resolution of disputes between National and County governments to avert lengthy and costly lawsuits.

Kidero has lamented that inter-ministerial talks ordered by the president to unlock the row that was to be led by the Attorney General and Treasury Cabinet Secretary have failed to take off.

According to Kidero, the defense department now holds over 5,000 acres of land in Kayole.

Kidero narrated how 2,000 acres were given to some people and the county was left with 3,000 acres.

The defense ministry thereafter purchased 400 acres but later got the entire 3,000 acres forcefully urging the Senate to come in and help resolve the payment dispute.

“Nairobi City County is bleeding because of the debts owed. The little money they get from the government goes to payment of workers as well as other issues of running the county thus leaving no money for development,” said Kidero.

The committee has termed the petition a very important one as it allows the Senate to ponder on a lasting solution in terms of legislation to help solve the disputes as fast as possible.

Kidero has also been ordered to submit all the court documents in seven days.