Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and senior county officials were grilled on Tuesday by a Senate committee over a series of concerning audit reports from key county institutions.
The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPIPSF) reviewed the Auditor General’s findings for five Lamu entities: Faza Sub-County Hospital, Lamu County Referral Hospital, Mpeketoni Sub-County Hospital, the Lamu Water and Sewerage Company (LAWASCO), and the Municipality of Lamu.
Senators Express Concern
Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, chairing the session, emphasised the importance of safeguarding public resources and ensuring swift corrective action.
“These reports point to systemic challenges. Our role is to ensure public resources are safeguarded and that corrective actions are implemented without delay,” he said.
Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu echoed the concerns, noting the recurrence of similar issues, especially in the health sector.
“It is troubling that issues such as unsupported balances, weak asset management, and staffing gaps continue to recur. Management must demonstrate clear responsibility and timelines for compliance,” she said.
Audit Findings
The audit reports highlighted:
- Unsupported expenditures
- Weak financial reporting
- Significant gaps in governance and internal controls
These findings suggest systemic weaknesses across several departments, raising questions about accountability and operational efficiency.
Governor’s Response
Governor Issa Timamy acknowledged the audit observations but cited transitional periods and operational constraints as contributing factors. He assured the committee that management responses detailing reconciliations, updated records, and corrective measures had been submitted for all entities.
The Governor outlined initiatives his administration has undertaken to address the challenges, including:
- Strengthening internal audit functions
- Updating asset registers
- Aligning financial systems with national standards
“Our focus is not just responding to the audit, but preventing a recurrence of the same issues going forward,” he affirmed.
Next Steps
The committee directed the county executive to strictly adhere to implementation timelines in their action plans. The submissions will be evaluated before the committee prepares its final report to the full Senate.
The session underscored the Senate’s commitment to public accountability and highlighted the ongoing need for robust governance in county administrations.
