A dispute over unpaid bills has cast a shadow over the 2025 Piny Luo Cultural Festival, with a group of suppliers, consultants and service providers accusing Elgon Group of failing to settle outstanding payments more than six months after the event was successfully held.
The affected businesses say they provided a wide range of services that helped make the festival a success. These included media coordination, logistics, communications, protocol management, sports coordination, site preparation and other essential support services.
According to the suppliers, all contracted work was completed professionally and within agreed timelines, yet many of them remain unpaid.
The delay has left several businesses facing serious financial challenges. Some suppliers claim they hired workers, leased equipment, purchased materials and even borrowed money to fulfill their contractual obligations.
Months later, they say they are still struggling with debts and cash flow problems due to the lack of payment.The matter has raised further questions because public records indicate that significant government funds were approved to support the festival.
Documents show that on January 22, 2026, the Controller of Budget approved a request by the National Treasury for the withdrawal of KSh105 million to facilitate the Piny Luo Cultural Festival after the initial allocation was found to be insufficient.
The approval was reportedly granted under Article 223 of the Constitution.
Some sources familiar with the payment process have alleged that delays within Migori County’s finance structures may have contributed to the situation.
Allegations have also been directed at Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. John Achuora, with suppliers calling on him to publicly explain the status of all payments related to the festival.
They argue that after several months, the delays can no longer be attributed solely to normal administrative procedures.
Additional claims have emerged regarding possible conflicts of interest involving county officials and individuals linked to Elgon Group.
The allegations have not been independently verified, but suppliers say they want greater transparency regarding procurement processes and payment approvals connected to the event.
According to the suppliers, efforts to obtain answers directly from Elgon Group have produced little progress. They say the company has maintained that a substantial portion of its own payment from the County Government of Migori remains outstanding.
However, the suppliers argue that they should not continue bearing the consequences of disputes between parties higher up the payment chain.
The issue has now moved beyond a simple contractual disagreement. Suppliers say it has become a question of accountability, fairness and responsible management of public resources.
They are asking how an event that reportedly benefited from public funding could leave behind a large number of unpaid service providers months after its completion.
In a formal petition addressed to Governor Ochillo Ayacko, the group has asked the County Government of Migori to provide a clear account of payments made under the festival contract.
They are seeking details on how much money has been released, how much remains outstanding and what steps are being taken to ensure legitimate suppliers receive their dues.
The suppliers warn that the situation could discourage businesses from participating in future government-linked projects if contractors continue to face lengthy payment delays. They note that the Piny Luo Festival was promoted as a platform for culture, tourism and economic empowerment, yet many of the businesses that contributed to its success now say they are struggling to survive.
The group has issued a 14-day ultimatum, warning that unless the outstanding payments are settled, they will begin legal proceedings against Elgon Group to recover the money they claim is owed, along with damages related to delayed payments and alleged breach of contract.
Both Elgon Group and the County Government of Migori are facing growing calls to address the concerns and provide clarity on the fate of the unpaid bills.
