Can’t pay, won’t pay, Nkaissery tells Kidero

Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has rubbished claims by Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero that the national government owes the county Ksh60 billion.

Speaking to Citizen TV on Sunday, Nkaissery said that it was improper for the county to demand payment from the national government saying the latter had a superior placement.

“How can the county government demand payment from the national government, which is superior to it?” posed Nkaissery.

Kidero had last week demanded a payment of Ksh62 billion from the national government, noting that the Department of Defence is the highest defaulter in payment of contributions in lieu of rates.

The Judiciary, Kenya Industrial Research and Development, Police Service and the Office of the President owe County Hall Ksh93.87 million, Ksh67 million Ksh65.6 million, and Ksh63.91 million respectively.

Government ministries, Parliament, the military, Kenya Revenue Authority and Central Bank also feature on the list of defaulters.

Kidero had said that failure by the national government to pay the county has led to a lag in development in some sectors.