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Siaya Governor James Orengo faced intense questioning from the Senate Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, over unresolved audit queries in the 2024/2025 reports for SIBOWASCO, Siaya County Referral Hospital, and other key facilities including Bondo, Ambira, and Got Agulu, plus county municipalities.
Senators hammered persistent issues: a 13-year land ownership dispute at Siaya County Referral Hospital drew sharp criticism from Senator Raphael Chimera, who called it “unacceptable.” Staffing shortages were noted, with Orengo citing telemedicine links to major referral hospitals for CT scan support.
At SIBOWASCO, losses fell only slightly from Ksh 37 million to Ksh 27 million, with high non-revenue water rates still plaguing the utility. Senator George Mbugua blasted unimplemented fixes: “Where is the urgency?” Auditors flagged Ksh 19 million in unrefunded deposits and weak disclosures risking viability.
Orengo admitted partial progress via smart metering and infrastructure work but argued for prioritizing access over profit. Senator Peris Tobiko countered: “If you aim to run a social enterprise, formalize it through the County Assembly.”
Committee Chair Osotsi issued a stern ultimatum: “Partial measures won’t cut it. You have six months to fix this—residents deserve better accountability in health and water services.”
Orengo framed the session positively: “In pursuit of strengthening governance integrity and improving service delivery, we appeared before the Senate Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Godfrey Osotsi, to address the 2024/2025 audit reports for our municipalities, SIBOWASCO, and health facilities including Siaya County Referral Hospital, Bondo, Ambira, and Got Agulu. The session also reviewed the status of special funds.”
The grilling underscores Senate pressure on counties to resolve audit red flags or risk funding curbs. Siaya residents now await tangible reforms within the deadline.
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