By Dorothy Musyoka
The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee has strongly criticized Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya following a report by the Auditor General on the financial statements of Kitale Referral Hospital for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
The Auditor General issued a disclaimer opinion due to severe irregularities, including missing financial records from previous years, rendering the audit process unreliable.
Committee Chair Senator Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga) expressed his frustration during the session stating, “Governor, the law is very clear that public funds must be properly accounted for. The Auditor General could not even form an opinion on these financial statements. This is not just an anomaly; it is an indictment of your administration’s incompetence in financial management. We demand full accountability.”
Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang echoed concerns raised by Vihiga senator, questioning the absence of key financial documents.
“What exactly is the work of your finance department if such vital records are missing? This is beyond negligence; it is a serious governance failure,” he stated.
The audit report revealed multiple financial irregularities, including the lack of a general ledger and trial balance, discrepancies in cash balances, poorly maintained cashbooks, undisclosed inventory, and non-compliance with approved financial reporting standards.
Additionally, it was discovered that Ksh9.4 million had been withdrawn from the hospital’s revenue account without board approval to fund participation in the 2023 Devolution Conference.
Senator William Kisang raised the alarm over this unauthorized transaction, saying, “Chair, I think I’ll also request that you invite the EACC and call for a special audit. I don’t understand how we can say we cannot find opening balances for those accounts.”
Governor Natembeya acknowledged the withdrawal but defended his administration’s actions, stating, “We acknowledge the borrowing because we did not have a budget for the Devolution Conference. We were required to participate, and that is why we borrowed. However, I assure the committee that this money will be refunded within the stipulated timeframe.”
In response to the findings, the committee directed Governor Natembeya’s administration to submit all missing financial documentation, including certified bank statements and a detailed explanation of the missing records, within seven days.
Chair Osotsi warned that the committee will not tolerate financial mismanagement calling for full compliance with public finance laws in the next audit period.