By Our Reporter
Officers from the Kitui Water & Sanitation Company (KITWASCO) and the Kiambere Mwingi Water and Sanitation Company (KIMWASCO) appeared before the Kitui County Public Investments and Accounts Committee, chaired by Kauwi MCA Gabriel Munyao, to respond to audit queries raised by the Auditor-General on the 2024/2025 financial statements.
The audit report highlighted significant financial management concerns, particularly long-outstanding trade and other receivables. KITWASCO Managing Director June Munyao disclosed that trade receivables overdue beyond 120 days stood at Ksh166,015,837. Of this, Ksh50,271,960 related to active accounts under collection, while Ksh115,743,877 pertained to disconnected or inactive accounts, currently undergoing verification.
KIMWASCO Managing Director CPA Joseph Mwangangi attributed the accumulation of arrears to the previous flat-rate tariff system and frequent water shortages caused by ageing and malfunctioning pumps.
In response, the Committee recommended that both companies pursue legal action against defaulting customers to recover the owed funds.
The audit also raised concerns over delays and irregular payments in the Ilimukuyu Dam and Water Supply Project Phase II. KITWASCO officials explained that a preliminary assessment after site handover revealed discrepancies between the project design and expected outputs. A recent Committee inspection found the dam project only 30% complete despite expenditures of Kshs. 60,613,459, raising questions over value for money.
To curb non-revenue water, both companies outlined measures including active leak detection and repair, monitoring and disconnection of illegal connections, rehabilitation of ageing infrastructure, and community sensitization to report pipe bursts and illegal water use.
The Committee emphasized the urgency of addressing the highlighted inefficiencies to safeguard public funds and ensure reliable water services in Kitui County.
