The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPISFC) has uncovered alarming governance failures, financial irregularities, and operational lapses at Longisa County Referral Hospital for the 2023/24 financial year.
A damning audit report presented to the committee revealed unapproved budgets, accounting discrepancies, poor asset management, lack of institutional independence, and improper handling of expired medical supplies—raising serious concerns about patient safety and service delivery.
Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Chairperson of the committee, issued a stern warning, linking the hospital’s inefficiencies to weak management.
“If the management is weak, the hospital will be weak, just like we saw with municipalities. If there’s no proper board, if there’s no independence, then everything else will be affected,” he declared. His remarks pointed to deep-rooted systemic failures crippling the facility.Among the most shocking revelations was the improper storage of expired medical supplies alongside usable drugs—a blatant violation of health protocols.
“This is not only a breach of protocol but also a risk to patient safety,” Senator Hillary Wakili Sigei condemned the negligence. The findings suggest a disturbing lack of oversight in the hospital’s pharmaceutical management.
The audit further exposed glaring financial irregularities, including the unexplained exclusion of Ksh. 83 million in National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) revenue from the hospital’s financial statements. When pressed, auditors confirmed that the hospital had no approved annual budget, raising questions about fiscal accountability.
The credibility of the hospital’s financial reports was further undermined when the accountant responsible admitted to being “not in good standing” with his professional regulatory body. This admission cast doubt on the accuracy and legitimacy of the hospital’s financial disclosures.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok sought to absolve himself of blame, shifting responsibility to the hospital’s accounting team.
“I don’t want to take responsibility for errors committed by my people because they are experts trained in accounting. I’ve always insisted they must be in good standing with their regulatory bodies,” he said. However, his remarks underscored a troubling lack of oversight from county leadership.
The Senate committee warned that without immediate corrective measures, Longisa County Referral Hospital risks failing in its mandate to provide quality healthcare.
The findings highlight an urgent need for stronger governance, proper financial controls, and adherence to medical safety standards to restore public trust.
As investigations continue, pressure mounts on county officials to implement reforms and hold accountable those responsible for the mismanagement. Failure to act could leave thousands of patients vulnerable to further institutional breakdowns.
