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Some suppliers and contractors claim Nairobi County Government officials are demanding a cut to process their payments that date back to 2016.
They claim payments to suppliers have been approved by the Finalisation of Pending Bills and Audit Committee headed by Prof Patrick Lumumba.
The committee has been reviewing pending bills for goods and services rendered to City Hall amounting to Sh60 billion.
The suppliers claim some unscrupulous individuals have been demanding kickbacks to facilitate payments, and that those who comply are paid promptly.
“This is happening from the bottom up. Our payments have been approved by the Lumumba committee, but City Hall staff are demanding a cut. We are denied audience with top officers, yet some of us have been auctioned by banks,” a supplier lamented.
The suppliers claim they are often asked to pay up to 30 per cent of what the county owes them. They say officials who are willing to assist them claim their hands are tied and have to wait for instructions from above to make the payments.
Contractors and suppliers who spoke to The Nairobian said those targeted rendered their services to the county during the previous regime, their work on the ground was audited and approved, but payment is still being withheld.
A majority are demanding Sh10 million and above.
“Nowadays, even a mere security guard demands ‘lunch’ to allow us access to Treasury offices,” a supplier who has been chasing more than Sh10 million payment said.
Governor Mike Sonko and City County Finance boss Allan Igambi did not respond to our text messages when The Nairobian sought their view.