This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, a presidential directive was issued to expedite the payment of pending bills in counties across the country. However, Bomet County Governor Hillary Barchok has been accused of selectively paying these bills, leaving many contractors and suppliers frustrated and financially strained.
According to sources, Bomet County has pending bills dating back more than 5 years, with some contractors waiting for payment since 2016. Despite the governor's assumption of office barely 2 years ago, following the death of H.E. Joyce Laboso, there is no excuse for the delay in payment.
The governor's reluctance to expedite payments has led to a culture of corruption within the county's finance department. Contractors who cannot afford to bribe their way to payment are subjected to further suffering, with their invoices being pushed back for flimsy reasons. The finance department's use of the phrase 'The systems are down, IFMS is not working' is seen as a softer way to ask for a bribe.
Infrastructural projects, particularly in the water department, have been severely affected by the delay in payment. Contractors have suffered great losses, with some being forced to borrow funds to complete projects. The water department officers are seen as untouchables, with no one able to question their actions.
One contractor, who wished to remain anonymous, has been waiting for payment since 2016. Despite countless trips to the county headquarters, the contractor has been unable to receive payment. The governor and his team deserve a visit from the DCI and DPP to review the pending bills and explain why they have not followed the presidential directives.
It is high time that the DCI and DPP investigated Bomet County and created an example by holding the governor and all officers involved accountable. The culture of corruption must be brought to an end, and all pending bills must be paid. Those that cannot be paid must be explained in detail why.
