County Governors are under scrutiny after audit reports revealed widespread inefficiencies and poor management in hospitals, water companies, and municipalities.
The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee spent two days questioning eight governors, marking one of the most thorough accountability sessions since devolution began.
The questioning followed Auditor General Nancy Gathungu’s reports for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, which exposed serious gaps in service delivery.
Many county hospitals were found lacking adequate staff and essential equipment, water utilities were recording heavy losses, and municipalities struggled to operate efficiently due to governance and structural problems.
On Tuesday, the committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, summoned Governors Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), and Fatuma Achani (Kwale).
The previous day, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, Tharaka Nithi’s Muthomi Njuki, Lamu’s Issa Timamy, and Embu’s Cecily Mbarire appeared before the panel.
Governor Badilisha faced questions over non-revenue water at Nyandarua Water and Sanitation Company. The audit revealed that 39 per cent of water produced was unaccounted for, resulting in Sh21.26 million in lost revenue.
“In the circumstances, the company may have lost revenue through unaccounted-for water,” the Auditor General stated.
Badilisha said the losses were caused by ageing infrastructure, damaged pipes during road works, faulty meters, and illegal water connections. He added that the county had begun replacing pipelines and meters and cracking down on water theft.
The governor also addressed delays in granting the Ol Kalou municipality autonomy to manage local development. He admitted the lapse and assured the committee that corrective steps would be taken.
Trans Nzoia Governor Natembeya faced questions about expired drugs at Kitale County Referral Hospital, including 25 boxes of co-packed low osmolar oral rehydration salts with zinc sulphate that had expired in May 2021.
“Management has communicated with KEMSA, but they are yet to respond,” Natembeya said, explaining that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority supplied the drugs and is solely responsible for disposal.
He was also asked to explain delays in the Sh1.6 billion Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, which remained about 70 per cent complete by June 2025 despite Phase One being finished in July 2016 and Sh1.64 billion spent.
In Tharaka Nithi, Governor Njuki was pressed over staff shortages in county health facilities, reflecting wider concerns about the state of healthcare delivery in counties.
