Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has faced tough questioning before the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang’. The governor was summoned to respond to audit queries flagged by the Auditor-General, focusing on county financial management and the operations of water companies.
Senators led by Kajwang pressed Lenku to explain questionable expenditures, unlicensed operations and procurement violations. The committee noted that county-owned water firms, including Olkejuado, Nol-Turesh and Oloolaiser, were operating without proper structures despite receiving budget allocations.
The Auditor-General’s findings highlighted an inflated wage bill, non-remittance of statutory deductions, overpayments of allowances and missing procurement plans. The Senate team faulted the county for failing to implement transparent systems, warning that such gaps expose public funds to misuse.
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Kajwang directed Lenku to submit detailed written explanations within specific timelines, stressing that the committee would not proceed without complete documentation of how county funds had been used. At one sitting, the session was postponed after Lenku’s team failed to provide all required documents, forcing the committee to adjourn and reschedule.
Senators emphasized that financial discipline is essential for effective service delivery. They noted that the water companies in question had become debt-ridden and inefficient, leaving residents exposed to irregular water services despite heavy investment from the county government.
In response, Lenku pledged to address the issues raised, but the committee insisted on practical reforms rather than assurances. The senators called for immediate steps to strengthen management in the affected water firms, ensure compliance with procurement laws, and enforce proper financial controls across all departments.
By Benedict Aoya
