Counties

New Kwale payments system hits suppliers

mvurya

Kwale governor Salim Mvurya. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya has assured suppliers that his government will pay all its creditors in two weeks’ time after adoption of a new electronic procurement platform occasioned delays.

The county boss told hundreds of suppliers at the School of Government, Matuga that the hold up in dispensing their cash was due to implementation of the e-sourcing system.

“Some people had started complaining that Governor Salim Mvurya’s government had not paid them. I want to tell you that is not my style of leadership. The small delay was caused by the introduction of this new e-sourcing system. I assure all suppliers to our county that in two weeks’ time, you will all have been sorted,” he said to applause from the packed hall.

Mr Mvurya further assured them that all suppliers who e-source with the county will be treated equally.

“First of all, this new system makes it impossible to favour any supplier because you cannot know them until they qualify. Secondly, we believe and practice total transparency. If you don’t qualify, it’s not because someone else blocked you, it’s the system. You will qualify another time.”

The governor dismissed claims that he and his deputy Fatuma Achani had blocked any supplier from qualifying for tenders, adding that there will be no segregation on grounds of ethnicity, origin or other considerations.

Blacklisted

Mr Mvurya also sounded a warning to shoddy contractors, noting they will be blacklisted and won't receive payment for poor quality work.

“If you build using sub-standard material and do a shoddy job, it’s up to you because I will not pay you. You must live up to the billing,” he said.

The more than 300 Kwale County suppliers were taken through a sensitization forum in readiness for the electronic tendering system.

Tendering through this platform and awards for deals will be centralized via IFMIS.

In preparation, various groups including suppliers, accountants and other government officials have been trained to ensure smooth operations.