NEWS
Garissa governor inherit over sh4 billion debt from previous administration
Garissa governor Ali Bunow at a past event.
Garissa county government has inherited about sh4.3 billion debt from previous administration owe to contractors and other service providers, assumption of office reports has revealed.
Roads and public works has the biggest liabilities with sh1.3 billion while revenue department has least debt with sh3.5 million with other liabilities spread across 13 other departments under devolved units.
Department of public service has debt of sh17.1 million while that of trade has sh141.4 million, Health sh78.3 million.
Other departments that have huge liabilities includes lands sh198.5 million, Environment sh352.7 million, education sh224 million, Youth and sports sh60.1 million, water 773.9million, finance 973.7million.
According to the report which was presented to governor Ali Korane two weeks ago also indicates County affairs department has a debt of 100.5million while that of culture has a burden of sh10.8 million with livestock having 67.1million debt as agriculture departments liability stood at sh29.1 million.
Some of the arrears accrued are outstanding utility bills such as rent and electricity with some of departmental offices locked due to unpaid charges.
Contractors and county service providers had difficulties in getting their payments, while some protested on the streets to get their dues others resorted to use of traditional methods with local elders directly engaging the former governor, Nathif Jama.
The assumption of office committee whose chairman is county Secretary Mohamud Mursal has recommended to the governor to set up an independent board to look at the asset, liabilities and Human Resource in the county.
The assumption of the Office of the Governor Committee was established on 7th July 2017 and is funded by the state through the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning.
Members of the committee includes senior county and national government officials including County Commissioner, County Police commander and other officials.
The mandate of the committee includes organizing security for both Governor and Deputy Governor elect, Coordination of swearing in ceremony of the Governor and Deputy Governor elect, Briefing Governor elect on the committee progress and Receiving departmental reports as well as Compilation and submission of the report to the Governor.
