Thursday, 4 June, 2026
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has resolved to engage National Treasury officials over the rising pending bills owed by State entities to suppliers and contractors.
Committee Chairperson Hon. Tindi Mwale (Butere) announced the decision during a meeting that considered the Auditor-General’s report for the 2023/2024 financial year on the State Department for Correctional Services.
The session was attended by Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Muhia-Beacco, senior officials from the department, and Commissioner General of Prisons Mr. Patrick Aranduh.
The Auditor-General reported that the department’s historical pending bills comprise funded and unfunded obligations amounting to Kshs. 1.21 billion and Kshs. 3.37 billion respectively.
In her presentation, Dr. Muhia told the Committee that the funded bills were verified and processed in the 2023/2024 financial year, but the funds were not released by the National Treasury.
She further noted that no budgetary allocation has been made in the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 financial years, adding that the matter has been submitted to the Pending Bills Verification Committee.
Members expressed concern over the continued increase in pending bills and questioned delays in settlement despite government assurances that outstanding obligations running into billions of shillings would be paid.
Hon. Mwale, observed that the issue affects multiple state department. He directed that the Committee will engage the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, the Principal Secretary, and the Pending Bills Verification Committee to seek a lasting solution.
“As a Committee, we are committed to resolving the impasse. Suppliers must be paid on time, and we will engage Treasury officials to understand why the debts are not being settled," said Hon. Mwale.