Senate team grills eight governors

Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire when she appeared before CPAC. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Eight governors have been taken to task by the Senate following the Auditor General’s report revealing mismanagement of water companies and county hospitals. 

Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mungaro, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, Embu Governor Cecil Mbarire, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir appeared before the committee.

Mr Mungaro was taken to task over losses incurred by Kilifi and Mariakani Water Company amounting to Sh653 million due to the non-billing of water customers with 50 per cent being Non-Revenue Water according to the Auditor General report, which Senators said was alarming.

The review of the data provided for audit revealed the company produced 9,711,413 cubic meters of water, out of which only 4,836,916 cubic meters of water was billed to customers, leaving a balance of 4,874,497 cubic meters or 50 per cent being Non-Revenue Water resulting to a loss of revenue totalling to Sh653 million.

“My administration is in agreement with the auditor’s observation, the operating revenue amount for the financial year was not sufficient due to high non-revenue water levels during the year under review, however we have managed to control the Non Review Water at 50 per cent while enhancing strategies to reduce levels on both physical influences and commercial influences,” said Mungaro.

Natembeya told the committee chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi over the existence of expired drugs at Kitale County Referral Hospital after the Auditor General report revealed that some drugs, including 25 boxes of co-packed low osmolar oral rehydration salts with zinc sulphate, had expired as far back as May 2021.

“I would like to inform the Senate that the expired drugs had been supplied by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority which was mandated to dispose them, we have made the necessary communication to them but unfortunately they are yet to respond,” said Natembeya.

He was also tasked to explain delays in the completion of the Sh1.6 billion Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital which despite Phase One of the 350-bed facility being completed in July 2016, the project is only 70 per cent complete despite payment being done.

Nassir was asked to explain why the Non-Revenue Water is 62% which is more than the maximum allowable loss of 25% by the Water Service Regulatory Board of which the Governor said that they have initiated several strategies to reduce Non-Revenue Water.

The Mombasa governor said they are carrying out inspections of illegal connections, increasing funding for Non-Revenue Water, introduction of Smart Meter project, engagement of Non Review Water Consultant and Enterprise Resources planning.