How Unpaid Gratuity Triggered the Senate’s Push to Bar Natembeya from Accessing County Funds

Natembeya being barred from accessing county funds is no longer a political threat. It is now a live financial risk facing Trans Nzoia County. Senators have moved to block further withdrawals after Governor George Natembeya failed to pay long-overdue gratuity owed to former county staff. An audit has exposed millions in unpaid terminal benefits, raising questions about accountability, priorities, and respect for workers’ rights. The Senate has drawn a hard line, warning that no money should move until the county proves it can honor its obligations. For now, the message from the Senate is blunt. Natembeya being barred from accessing county funds will become reality unless the county pays what it owes. The fate of Trans Nzoia’s finances now rests on whether the governor acts fast or continues to gamble with workers’ rights and public trust. Why Senators Want Natembeya Barred from Accessing County Funds The Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) wants Governor George Natembeya barred from accessing county funds because Trans Nzoia has failed to clear Ksh52 million in unpaid gratuity owed to former staff. Senators say the debt has lingered for years without justification, despite repeated warnings and audit flags. The caution came on Thursday, January 29, when CPAC grilled Natembeya over the 2024/25 audit report by the Office of the Auditor-General. The report exposed massive delays in paying terminal benefits, a legal obligation counties must meet once staff exit public service. According to the audit, Ksh26 million is owed to staff who served in the Office of the Governor during former Governor Patrick Khaemba’s administration. Another Ksh26 million is owed to staff from various county departments. Some of the affected workers have waited more than four years. CPAC chairperson Moses Kajwang made the Senate’s position clear. He directed that the Controller of Budget should not authorize any further withdrawals from the County Revenue Fund until the county submits a clear, credible, and approved payment plan. The warning effectively places Trans Nzoia on the brink of a financial freeze. If enforced, it means the county cannot access its funds for operations, development, or salaries until it complies. Audit Exposes Years of Ignored Obligations The Auditor-General’s findings formed the backbone of the Senate’s hard stance. The audit showed that the county consistently failed to prioritize gratuity payments despite budgeting cycles passing without action. Senators dismissed claims that the problem was inherited. They argued that once Natembeya assumed office, the responsibility shifted fully to his administration. They noted that the county continued spending on other activities while former staff remained unpaid. Kajwang stressed that gratuity is not optional. He said officers who have already exited public service are fully entitled to the money and must come first. He rejected the governor’s explanation that financial pressure made payment impossible. Senator Samson Cherarkey reinforced the point. He said gratuity is a contractual obligation, not a privilege. He warned that continued delays amount to abuse of workers and misuse of public trust. The committee also blamed internal inefficiencies within the county. Senators said poor planning and weak financial controls, not external factors, caused the crisis. They accused the county of choosing convenience over compliance. Natembeya’s Defense Fails to Convince Senators Governor Natembeya admitted that the county delayed the gratuity payments. He blamed financial strain caused by outstanding statutory deductions from previous administrations, which attracted penalties and taxes. He told the committee that there was no malice behind the delay. He said circumstances made payment difficult and assured senators that the county was aware of its obligations. That explanation failed to move CPAC. Kajwang dismissed the defense and insisted that debts to former staff must take priority. He said counties cannot punish workers for leadership failures. He warned that sympathy would not replace accountability. The committee criticized the county for allowing arrears to pile up for over four years. Senators said such delays were unjustified and showed disregard for staff welfare. They added that continued excuses only deepened mistrust. Natembeya promised to allocate funds through a supplementary budget to clear the arrears. CPAC responded by warning that promises were no longer enough. Members said they would closely monitor compliance and take further action if the county failed to deliver. If the Controller of Budget follows CPAC’s directive, Trans Nzoia will lose access to its funds until a viable payment plan is approved by both CPAC and the Auditor-General. That move would paralyze county operations and send a strong message to other governors. Senators stressed that public funds must be tied to responsible governance. They warned that failure to comply could trigger more sanctions and prolong financial uncertainty.