Senators grill 18 governors over auditor's queries

Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee chairperson Godfrey Osotsi. [File, Standard] Eighteen governors have been taken to task by the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee following a report by the Auditor-General that revealed mismanagement and failures in the running of county water companies and hospitals. The report by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu on county hospitals, water entities and municipalities for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, painted a grim picture of ill-equipped health facilities, struggling water companies and municipalities affected by a lack of autonomy. According to the audit findings, many county hospitals lack adequate medical personnel and essential equipment thus compromising service delivery while several water companies are sinking into debt and incurring heavy losses. Most county hospitals are reportedly in a severe crisis due to systemic failures, understaffing, equipment shortages, and financial issues. An audit in late 2024 and September 2025 indicated that these institutions are struggling to fulfill their mandates. Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, and his colleagues George Natembeya of Trans Nzoia, Kilifi's Gideon Mungaro, Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Cecil Mbarire (Embu), Issa Timamy (Lamu), Fatuma Achani (Kwale) and Wesley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet have appeared before the committee. Other governors who faced audit queries are Stephen Sang of Nandi, Vihiga's Wilbur Ottichillo, Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Joseph Lenku (Kajiado), Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Mohamed Khalif (Mandera) and Simon Kachapin (West Pokot). The Mombasa governor was taken to task over the expenditure of a Sh1.3 billion loan that the Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company took under the Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) with an unexplained variance of Sh96 million. "Review of the non-current liability ledger in respect to the WSDP loan provided for audit in support of the financial statements indicated loan amount received from external borrowing during the year of Sh234.5 million which differs with the increase of Sh138.4 million between the opening balance and the reported balance resulting in the accuracy and completeness of a loan of Sh1.3 billion could not be confirmed," stated the Auditor General report. Taita Taveta governor was put on the spot over unaccounted Sh54 million after his administration paid Coast Water Works Development Agency Sh732 million, while the company had quoted Sh678 million as a fee for services offered. Mwadime had difficult time explaining to the Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi on why his administration paid the extra amount. Trans Nzoia County governor had a rough time explaining to the Committee cover the existence of expired drugs at Kitale County Referral Hospital after the Auditor General report revealed 25 boxes of low osmolar oral rehydration salts with zinc sulphate had expired in 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, with the project was only 70 per cent complete despite payment being made. Natembeya was questioned about the losses made by Trans Nzoia Water and Sewerage Company which was 44.9 per cent of the water it produced, translating to revenue losses of approximately Sh90.68 million. Tharaka Nithi Governor was questioned over staffing shortages in health facilities with an audit showing that some facilities classified as Level Four hospitals lacked the necessary equipment and personnel required for that status. According to the Auditor General report tabled in the Senate the level of water loss in Trans Nzoia exceeded the Water Services Regulatory Board's acceptable threshold of 25 per cent by nearly 20 percentage points. "The Management of Trans Nzoia Water and Sewerage Company Limited did not provide satisfactory measures put in place so far to reduce the volume of non-revenue water going into the future," states the Audit report. Mungaro was taken to task over the losses incurred by Kilifi and Mariakani Water Company amounting to Sh653 million due to the non-billing of water customers with 50% 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 a total of 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% 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-Revenue Water at 50% while enhancing strategies to reduce levels on both physical influences and commercial influences," said Mungaro. 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 that they are carrying out inspections of illegal connections, increasing funding for Non-Revenue Water, introducing the Smart Meter project, engagement of Non Review Water Consultant and Enterprise Resources planning. Badilisha was put on the spot over high levels of non-revenue water at the Nyandarua Water and Sanitation Company with the audit revealing that the county failed to account for 39 per cent of the water produced during the period under review, resulting in revenue losses amounting to Sh21.26 million. "I would like to inform the Senate that the losses in Nyandarua Water and Sanitation Company can be attributed to dilapidated water infrastructure, destruction of pipes during road grading, faulty consumer meters and illegal water connections," said Badilisha. The Nyandarua Governor told the committee that the county had embarked on measures to reduce non-revenue water, including replacing old pipelines, faulty meters, and curbing water theft, which he said will ensure that the losses that are incurred go down. Njuki was questioned over staffing shortages in Tharaka Nithi County health facilities, with the audit showing that some facilities classified as Level Four hospitals lacked the necessary equipment and personnel required for that status. The Tharaka Nithi Governor told the Senate Committee that the reason they have not met the required standards is due to a lack of resources and that they were doing everything possible to ensure that this is achieved. Governors have come under intense scrutiny from senators following the release of damning audit reports that exposed widespread mismanagement and operational failures in county hospitals, water companies and municipalities.

Senators grill 18 governors over auditor's queries

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