Ruto lectures CS Ndung'u on formation of pending bills verification committee

By Peter Ochieng

President William Ruto on Tuesday 'sought to help' Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Finance on how to properly constitute the pending bills verification committee.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi during unveiling of the committee, president Ruto said it was unconstitutional because it does not meet the three thirds gender rule.

CS Ndung'u had formed a 20-member committee consisting of only 4 women. It will be chaired by former Auditor General Edward Ouko.

While lecturing the CS, the Head of State directed him to go back to the drawing board, reduce the number of men or add the number of women in the committee.

“Before I make very brief remarks let me just assist my CS with some housekeeping manenos (issues). I am not a very good mathematician but being a scientist, I know something about maths. When I looked at the composition of the committee it was clear to me that it was unconstitutional because it lacked gender balance," stated Ruto.

“There are only 4 women out of a whole committee of 20. So, I respectfully suggest Mr Minister that you either reduce the number of men or you add the number of women so that it is constitutional. It is time we begin to live in accordance with the principles of the constitution."

Ruto said the government, at various stages owe suppliers Sh600 billion in pending bills, money which has to be paid, one way or the other.

“As of today, our stock of pending bills is all the way to above Sh600 billion. That is the money government at various levels, owe our suppliers."

On 27th June, 2023, a Cabinet meeting chaired by president Ruto approved the establishment of a special committee on pending bills.

The pending bills verification committee will audit liabilities for the period between 2005 and 2022.

Its membership has to consist of the Attorney General, the State Department of Roads, the State Department of Public Works, the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.

Representatives of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Law Society of Kenya, the Institute of Engineers of Kenya and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya also have to be part of the team.