Kidero takes Sh72bn debt row with State to Senate
The row pitting Nairobi County government and the national government over an alleged Sh72 billion debt has now moved to the Senate.
This comes after the Senate Committee on Finance, Commerce and Budget summoned Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to appear before it on Thursday, June 8, to shed more light on the issue after receiving a petition from the county seeking help from the House in recovering the amount said to have accumulated over time.
“The committee is in receipt of your petition concerning debts owed to the Nairobi City County by the National Government and its Agencies.
“The purpose of this letter is to invite you to come and present the issues concerning the settlement of debt and any other relevant issues to the Committee,” read the letter dated May 30 signed by Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye, the Clerk of the Senate.
MANDATED
The committee established pursuant to standing order 208 of the Senate standing orders and is mandated to investigate, inquire into and report on all matters relating to coordination, control and monitoring of the county budgets, has also directed that the said evidence be forwarded to it on or before Monday, June 5, to enable it to acquaint itself with the documentation prior to the date of the meeting.
Dr Kidero, who will appear before the committee at 10am in County Hall, has said that the debt arises from land rates and parking fees that have accumulated over years, attracting huge interests and penalties.
He has accused the national government of using the debt to sabotage operations at the county, saying that the county has been unable to meet some of its obligations because of the arrears.
