Governor Lati Lelelit and members of his executive team faced intense scrutiny when they appeared before the Senate County Public Investment Committee and Special Funds over audit queries raised in the 2024/2025 financial year reports.
The session, chaired by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, examined the operations of the county water utility, Samburu Water and Sanitation Company (SAWASCO), Maralal Municipality and two county hospitals.
Tensions rose early in the session when senators reviewed the Auditor General’s disclaimer opinion on SAWASCO after auditors reported being denied access to key financial records.
The situation escalated when the water company’s chief executive officer and accountant failed to appear before the committee.
The governor told senators the officers had travelled to Nairobi’s Ngara area to print documents but could not be reached during the meeting.
“This committee does not accept the explanation that officers whose entity received a disclaimer opinion are somewhere in Nairobi printing documents. When the auditor says they were denied records, and the officers responsible disappear on the day of accountability, that is not administration. That is obstruction,” Oketch said.
The committee resolved to uphold the Auditor General’s disclaimer opinion and warned that failure to provide the required documents could attract penalties under Section 62 of the Public Audit Act.
Nominated Senator Raphael Chimera also questioned the absence of the accounting officers.
“Governor, the board chair of the water company is seated here, but the accounting officers who should explain missing trial balances, unsigned management reports and unexplained variances are absent. Is the county executive deciding what this committee should or should not examine?” he asked.
Lelelit denied attempts to obstruct oversight, saying disciplinary action would be taken if it was established the officers deliberately skipped the meeting.
Read Also: Activists Accuse Government of Abandoning Kenyans in Middle East
Governor Lenku On Spot Over Kajiado’s Insolvent Water Sector
Senators also raised concerns over an adverse audit opinion on Maralal Municipality after it failed to operationalise key functions despite responsibilities transferred under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
Chimera described the municipality as an entity that exists in law but lacks financial independence. The committee directed the county to ensure the municipality becomes operationally and financially independent before the end of the current financial year.
Attention later shifted to Samburu County Teaching and Referral Hospital and Baragoi Sub-County Hospital where auditors flagged irregularities involving Sh9.41 million collected through the Facilities Improvement Financing framework.
The funds had reportedly been transferred to the County Revenue Fund, which senators said contravened the program’s regulations.
“This money belongs to the facilities that generated it. Patients paid it expecting better services. It must be returned,” Nominated Senator George Mbugua said.
Auditors also reported that the hospitals lost Sh7.9 million in claims from the Social Health Authority due to missing documentation.
Lelelit acknowledged the gaps highlighted in the audit and pledged to address them.
“We acknowledge the gaps identified in the audit, and we will cooperate fully with the committee and the Auditor General to address them. Where resources meant for facilities were transferred to the County Revenue Fund, we will refund them through the supplementary budget process and strengthen our systems to prevent recurrence,” he said.
The Senate committee directed Samburu County to submit the missing financial records within 14 days and provide a report on the rejected Social Health Authority claims within 30 days.
“This committee works with evidence, not promises. The audit opinions stand, and we will follow up until Samburu County answers every question raised,” Oketch said.
