A side by side photo from the video of a contractor praying and Governor Gladys Wanga.
A video of a contractor kneeling and praying before Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga for debts has caused online, questioning the level of humiliation contractors go through to receive their payments from government.
In the video, the contractor is heard praying over the unending debt in the county in English and his local Luo dialect, present with other contractors.
A section stated that governors have turned into small gods in counties, receiving underserved attention as they misuse county funds.
“I’m telling y’all Kenyans, we can’t continue living like this. Why, I tell you, Jesus went into the temple and he found them conducting business, he whipped them, and overturned the Table, why would a contractor be praying, I mean that’s a good gesture, but asking for his due?” Warrior questioned.
It has become a journey of back and forth for government contractors going to extreme ends to demand for their dues, despite completing their duties contracted by both national and county governments. In extremes, contractors have closed schools denying access to students over unpaid dues, while others committing suicide as echoed by some Kenyans online.
“Chris Kirubi alisema tu the worst mistake you can do is to work with the government….watakuzima hadi ujinyonge ….thats the only thing he said he never did,” Gathathu remarked.
Calget further opined how one is humiliated begging for what government approached them to do, “Yani hadi haki yako unaomba mungu ndo serikali ilipe.”
According to Jerotich, government tenders are set aside to reward those who sponsored the politicians during campaigns, and common mwananchi going for it is a daring business risk that should not be an option.
“Government tenders are for people who sponsored politicians during campaigns. If you didn’t support them and they offer you a contract, chances are 99% mtasumbuana vibaya sana,” Shanae Jerotich stated.
“The same people whose contracts are not being paid will skin you alive if you dare criticise their beloved Governor. Allow them to eat from their own pot,” Lusi said.
Senate Public Accounts Committee (CPAC), chaired by Homabay senator Moses Otieno Kajwang, called on counties to pay all contractors on pending bills verified and proven legally, during a session in Kisii County in June.
