In a blistering accountability session that has sent shockwaves across Kenya’s devolved units, the Senate has put 18 governors on the hot seat, demanding answers for damning revelations in the Auditor-General’s latest report. The probe exposes widespread mismanagement, staggering financial losses, crippling non-revenue water rates, and dire crises in county hospitals that are leaving citizens without essential services.
Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu’s scathing audit for the financial year ended June 30, 2025, paints a grim picture: ill-equipped health facilities plagued by understaffing, expired drugs, and incomplete projects; water companies hemorrhaging billions through massive leaks, unpaid bills, and poor billing; and municipalities crippled by structural failures.
The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, hauled the governors before it at Bunge Towers for individual grilling sessions. The high-stakes interrogation zeroed in on why counties failed to curb non-revenue water (often soaring far above the regulatory 25% cap), why hospitals remain understaffed and under-equipped, and how millions in loans and revenues vanished without trace.
Among the 18 governors facing the heat are:
– Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa)
– George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia)
– Gideon Mungaro (Kilifi)
– Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta)
– Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua)
– Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi)
– Cecil Mbarire (Embu)
– Issa Timamy (Lamu)
– Fatuma Achani (Kwale)
– Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet)
– Stephen Sang (Nandi)
– Wilbur Ottichillo (Vihiga)
– Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo)
– Joseph Lenku (Kajiado)
– Hillary Barchok (Bomet)
– Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu)
– Mohamed Khalif (Mandera)
– Simon Kachapin (West Pokot)
Key red flags from the audit include:
– Mombasa battling 62% non-revenue water and a suspicious Sh96 million variance in a Sh1.3 billion loan for water projects.
– Kilifi and Mariakani Water suffering Sh653 million in losses from 50% non-revenue water due to non-billing and leaks.
– Trans Nzoia hit by Sh90.68 million revenue loss from 44.9% water wastage, plus delays in completing the Sh1.6 billion Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital (now only 70% done despite hefty payments) and expired drugs piling up.
– Nyandarua grappling with 39% non-revenue water blamed on dilapidated pipes, illegal connections, and road damage.
– Multiple counties reporting chronic hospital issues: staffing shortages in Level Four facilities, equipment failures, and expired medicines compromising patient care.
Governors largely acknowledged the audit findings but defended their administrations with promises of reforms. Mombasa’s Nassir outlined aggressive steps like Smart Meter installations, illegal connection crackdowns, and ERP systems. Kilifi’s Mungaro admitted revenue shortfalls but claimed non-revenue water is now controlled at 50% with ongoing strategies. Nyandarua’s Badilisha pointed to infrastructure decay and theft as culprits, vowing pipeline upgrades. Trans Nzoia’s Natembeya blamed expired KEMSA-supplied drugs on delayed disposal by the national agency.
Committee members expressed alarm at the scale of failures, describing some losses as “alarming” and questioning why basic service delivery mandates remain unfulfilled years into devolution.
This grilling marks one of the most intense Senate probes since devolution began, underscoring growing pressure on county leaders to deliver amid public outcry over poor water access and healthcare breakdowns.
As Kenyans demand better governance, the Senate’s tough stance signals zero tolerance for audit red flags. Will these grilling sessions lead to real reforms—or more excuses? The nation watches closely.
Image used for illustration purposes only
