Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka has said that a bill seeking to streamline the procurement functions of county government departments leaving no room for pending payments has been passed by the Senate.
Lusaka who was speaking on Friday at Diani, Kwale county during a roundtable meeting between Senate and Kenya Private Sector Alliance KEPSA said that counties have to adhere to Public Finance Management PFM Act to regulate their procurement plan.
“Some of these pending bills have come as a result of counties procuring when they know they don’t have money. Counties must ensure they follow procurement plans and be able to spend what they have,” he said.
He stated that the bill will see all suppliers, contractors or business people dealing directly with counties are paid for the services rendered leaving no room for any pending bills.
The assumption of office bill awaiting ascent will ensure there is smooth running of office in the county even with the absence of an incumbent governor.
“Some of the counties especially those with new governors are not paying works that were done by previous governors. We have discussed on the new bill that will address seem less transition of office to enable counties to carry on with its business with or without a governor,” he said.
Lusaka also said that there is need to review on the legislation that will regulate the taxes and levies charged on goods and services moving from one county to another.
He further proposed counties to come together and form an economic block that will see taxes and levies imposed on goods and services harmonized to ease trade among counties.
“Neighboring counties can collaborate and harmonize their levies to make it easier for business to thrive from one county to another and as Senate will also be looking how that can be legislated so that we streamline the levy across the counties,” he said.
