Tharaka Nithi County Faces Senate Scrutiny Over Audit Queries
Tharaka Nithi County officials appear before Senate to answer audit queries on Kathwana Municipality governance and Nithi Water inefficiencies during the 2023/24 fiscal year. Photo/Parliament of Kenya.
By Robert Assad
Tharaka Nithi County faced Senate scrutiny Tuesday over audit irregularities related to the 2023/24 financial year, including governance lapses at Kathwana Municipality and operational inefficiencies at Nithi Water and Sanitation Company.
The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Vihiga Sen. Godfrey Osotsi, summoned Gov. Muthomi Njuki and his executive team to explain why the municipality approved its budget without a legally constituted board.
“Operating without a duly constituted board, as was the case when the budget was approved, is a serious breach,” Osotsi said. “We also note the lack of evidence for own-source revenue collection.”
Elgeyo Marakwet Sen. William Kisang echoed the concern, citing the municipality’s failure to demonstrate how it collects revenue or manages assets.
Gov. Njuki acknowledged the lapse but said corrective measures were underway. “The board for Kathwana Municipality was not in place then, but we are addressing this. A fixed assets register is now available,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nithi Water came under fire for a 56 percent non-revenue water rate and unresolved debt issues. Machakos Sen. Agnes Kavindu labeled the figure “unacceptable” and called for more aggressive recovery efforts.
Njuki defended the company, highlighting recovered receivables of 31 million shillings and updated tariffs aimed at addressing wage bill concerns.
While Osotsi noted progress at Nithi Water, he warned that Kathwana Municipality’s issues remained unresolved and demanded “swift, verifiable corrective actions.”
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