Nyandarua County is under intense parliamentary scrutiny after reports emerged showing that pending financial obligations have ballooned to approximately KSh5.1 billion for the 2024/2025 fiscal year — despite the county having collected about KSh6.3 billion in total revenue during that period.
During a session on February 5, 2026, Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha appeared before the Senate’s County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to explain the mounting backlog of unpaid bills. Lawmakers expressed serious concerns about how the county has been managing its finances, warning that the growing debt could threaten the viability of local businesses and undermine confidence in devolution.
Senate Raises Alarm Over County’s Financial Health
Senator Moses Kajwang, chairperson of CPAC, described the situation as a sign that Nyandarua is “technically insolvent,” pointing out that the backlog listed in financial records shows unpaid charges nearly as high as the revenue the county collected. He stressed that amounts without proper documentation should be removed from official books in accordance with accepted accounting standards.
The committee also noted that the outstanding amount nearly doubles the KSh2.9 billion owed at the end of the previous financial year, and that about KSh2.6 billion of the bills are over three years old, predating Governor Badilisha’s administration.
Governor’s Response and Dispute Over Figures
Governor Badilisha, however, disputed the KSh5.1 billion figure, arguing it does not reflect the true state of the county’s liabilities. He explained that the larger figure includes payroll for May and June 2025, which was actually settled in July after funds were released from the National Treasury. On that basis, he insisted the actual unresolved bills are closer to KSh1.4 billion.
The governor added that some obligations could not be cleared because suppliers had not come forward with valid claims, and noted that the county had earmarked KSh347 million in its budget to begin addressing the debt.
Committee’s Directive and Broader Fiscal Concerns
CPAC members were unconvinced by the governor’s position, pointing out that the KSh5.1 billion total appeared in the county’s own audited financial statements. They faulted the county for weak internal controls, including a lack of adequate supporting documentation for many entries.
In addition to pending bills, the committee discussed other financial issues flagged in the Auditor General’s report for the year ending June 30, 2025. These included controversial expenditures on the JM Kariuki Hospital project, the absence of an internal audit committee, and 1,998 voided transactions valued at about KSh1.9 billion.
To address the crisis, the committee directed the Office of the Controller of Budget to temporarily block withdrawals from the Nyandarua County Revenue Fund until there’s a credible plan to settle outstanding bills, highlighting the urgency of restoring financial discipline and protecting county operations.
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