By TWV Team
A group of 34 contractors engaged by the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the government, demanding payment of KSh273 million in overdue bills. The service providers, who delivered critical services in key sectors, have threatened legal and civil action if their dues remain unpaid.
In a demand letter to the government, the contractors asserted that they had been engaged by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to deliver services across four critical Nairobi County functions: health, transport, utilities and ancillary services, as well as physical planning and development.
These responsibilities were transferred to NMS from the county government in March 2020.
“To fulfill its mandate, NMS engaged qualified suppliers and contractors who diligently executed their duties under NMS supervision,” the letter stated.
While some contractors received full payment, many claim their payment vouchers remain listed as pending bills. After years of futile attempts to secure their dues through various government channels, their payment vouchers remain listed as pending bills. After years of futile attempts to secure their dues through various government channels, the aggrieved contractors formed a united front in August 2024 to pursue their claims collectively. The contractors described their efforts as marred by “unwarranted frustrations, bureaucratic delays, and severe financial strain.” They highlighted the significant costs and hardships incurred while seeking what is rightfully theirs.
The letter, which gave the government seven working days to act, warned that failure to settle the dues would lead to “alternative measures, including legal action and sustained protests at government offices.” It was copied to the Chairperson of the National Assembly Committee on Pending Bills, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and the Attorney General.
The dispute underscores the broader issue of unresolved liabilities inherited from NMS, which was dissolved in 2022 after its temporary mandate expired. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for managing government transition debts, with significant implications for contractors and public institutions alike.
