NAIROBI, Kenya — Lati Lelelit faced intense questioning from senators when he appeared before the Senate County Public Investment Committee to respond to audit concerns involving county entities and public hospitals.
The session, held on Wednesday, examined findings from the Auditor-General’s report for the 2024/2025 financial year, focusing on the operations of Samburu Water and Sanitation Company, Maralal Municipality, and two public health facilities.
The meeting was chaired by committee vice chair Eddy Oketch, who warned that the Senate would not tolerate administrative lapses or attempts to undermine parliamentary oversight.
Tensions rose early in the proceedings when senators examined the case of the Samburu Water and Sanitation Company, which received a disclaimer of opinion from the Office of the Auditor-General Kenya.
Auditors said they had been denied access to critical financial documents and supporting records needed to complete the audit.
The situation escalated when the company’s chief executive officer and accountant failed to appear before the committee.
Governor Lelelit told senators the two officials had travelled to Ngara in Nairobi to print documents required for the hearing. However, they could not be reached when the session began.
“This committee does not accept the explanation that officers whose entity received a disclaimer opinion are somewhere in Nairobi printing documents,” Senator Oketch said during the hearing.
“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,” he added.
Following the exchange, the committee resolved to uphold the disclaimer opinion issued by the Auditor-General.
Senators further warned that failure to provide the requested financial records could attract penalties under Section 62 of the Public Audit Act.
Nominated senator Raphael Chimera also questioned the governor about what he described as selective cooperation with parliamentary oversight.
“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?” Chimera asked.
Lelelit rejected the claims, stating that the officers were working to finalise the required documents and promising disciplinary action if it emerged they had deliberately avoided the session.
Attention later shifted to Maralal Municipality, where auditors issued an adverse opinion after the county failed to operationalise key municipal functions despite legal requirements under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
Chimera criticised the situation, saying the municipality appeared to exist legally but lacked financial autonomy because it had not received direct funding during the audited financial year.
The committee directed the county government to ensure that the municipality becomes operationally and financially independent before the end of the current financial year.
Senators also examined financial management issues at Samburu County Teaching and Referral Hospital and Baragoi Sub-County Hospital.
Auditors flagged irregularities involving Sh9.41 million collected from patients under the Facilities Improvement Financing framework. The funds were reportedly transferred to the County Revenue Fund instead of being retained by the facilities as required.
“This money belongs to the facilities that generated it. Patients paid it expecting better services. It must be returned,” said nominated senator George Mbugua.
Lawmakers also questioned hospital administrators about expired pharmaceutical supplies found in storage, even as the facilities reported shortages of essential drugs, raising concerns over inventory management and procurement planning.
Further audit findings indicated that the hospitals lost Sh7.9 million in claims submitted to the Social Health Authority due to missing documentation.
In response, Governor Lelelit told the committee the county government would address the issues raised.
“We acknowledge the gaps identified in the audit, and we will cooperate fully with the committee and the Auditor-General to address them,” he said.
He added that any funds meant for health facilities but transferred to the County Revenue Fund would be refunded through a supplementary budget process.
The Senate committee directed Samburu County to submit the missing financial documents within fourteen days and provide a detailed report on the rejected Social Health Authority claims within thirty days.
“This committee works with evidence, not promises,” Senator Oketch said. “The audit opinions stand, and we will follow up until Samburu County answers every question raised.”
