The Public Procurement Regulatory Board (PPRB) has intensified its oversight on county governments following an increasing number of complaints from suppliers, contractors, and service providers over delayed payments. This move aims to address financial mismanagement that has led to public assets being exposed to auction due to poor procurement planning and non-payment of contractual obligations.
PPRB Chairman Mwangi Wa Iria announced that the regulatory authority is closely analyzing court rulings on procurement and asset disposal cases. Officers responsible for mismanaging funds will now be personally surcharged for losses incurred due to their actions or inaction. The board’s latest directive emphasizes strict enforcement of procurement laws to ensure counties do not misuse public resources.
According to the latest circular issued by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), county finance chiefs will be held individually accountable for any deliberate non-payment of contracts. The board is committed to ensuring compliance and has warned that cases of non-compliance will be escalated to relevant enforcement agencies for further action.
“Public procurement must serve as an engine for economic growth, not a source of financial distress,” said Chairman Wa Iria. “We will not tolerate instances where public officers deliberately frustrate suppliers. Those responsible for non-payment of legitimate invoices will be held accountable.”
The directive comes in response to concerns raised by numerous suppliers whose businesses have been severely affected by delayed payments. Many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which form the backbone of the Kenyan economy, have suffered financial instability due to counties failing to honor their obligations.
Wa Iria urged all county governments to take immediate steps to clear outstanding payments. “We cannot continue to ignore the severe impact that delayed payments have on businesses, particularly MSMEs. Failure to honor contractual obligations violates the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and poses a direct threat to Kenya’s economic growth and financial stability,” he stated.
With the procurement authority now tightening oversight and implementing stricter measures, county officials must ensure timely payments to suppliers or face financial penalties. This intervention seeks to restore trust in public procurement processes and reinforce accountability within county governments. Moving forward, the board will closely monitor compliance and take decisive action against officers who fail to meet procurement standards.
The latest reforms underscore the importance of efficient financial planning and accountability in county governments to ensure sustainable economic growth and avoid unnecessary financial burdens on businesses that depend on government contracts.
