By P, KNA
Contractors owed millions of shillings in unpaid dues have threatened to paralyze Siaya County government operations if the devolved unit fails to clear the payments within a fortnight.
Through their body, the Siaya County Contractors’ Association, the contractors also demanded the immediate resignation of the County Executive Committee Member for Finance, George Nying’iro, whom they accused of presiding over a department plagued by inefficiency and corruption.
Addressing the press in Siaya town, the contractors, led by their chairman Francis Amollo, lamented that Siaya county treasury officials only pay companies they have vested interests in, neglecting smaller contractors.
Amollo stated that during the closure of the last financial year in June 2025, finance officials promised that dues would be cleared by August, but no payments have been made to date.
“The contractors have had enough and are ready to mobilize members of the public from all corners of the county to occupy county government offices should the James Orengo-led government fail to pay what is owed within two weeks,” Amollo said.
He added: “We spend a lot of money coming to Siaya town to follow up on payments. Finance officials demand that a contractor must physically ‘see them’ before dues can be processed.”
The association’s treasurer, Elijah Odinga Osadho, warned that they were prepared to employ all measures to ensure county government services come to a halt.
“We will not allow the county government of Siaya to invite tenders for new works if it has not cleared our dues,” Odinga asserted.
Contractor Lilian Awuor Otieno, also the association’s assistant secretary, lamented that banks no longer grant them loans due to delayed repayments, forcing them to rely on private lenders at exorbitant terms.
Other contractors, including Vincent Otieno and John Ogeya, accused the Siaya County Assembly of inaction, despite being petitioned repeatedly.
“County assembly of Siaya has not been of help. You have no business being MCAs if you cannot help your voters and hold the executive accountable,” Otieno said.
Ogeya added that Orengo’s administration was deliberately sabotaging the county’s economy, causing several businesses to collapse due to unpaid services rendered to the county government.
He claimed that finance officers have boasted of controlling investigative bodies, making it impossible for contractors’ complaints to be addressed.
Two weeks ago, the Siaya County Assembly passed a censure motion against Acting CECM Finance George Nying’iro, following a motion tabled by nominated MCA Dorothy Oinga.
Members faulted Governor Orengo for allowing Nying’iro to act beyond the permitted public service period, noting no one should continue in an acting capacity beyond six months.
County Assembly Speaker George Okode stated that the matters raised fall within the assembly’s investigative powers.
“I guide that the import of the deliberations is that Waziri George Nying’iro has been censured and official communication will be sent to him and the governor,” Okode said.
He committed the matter to the Committee of General Oversight, adding that investigations would be conducted within 14 days to bring sanity to county operations and ensure proper services for Siaya residents.
