{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147648","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=147646","results":[{"id":1494662,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494662/?format=json","text_counter":379,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"There was also the common problem of errors in financial statements, which are attributed to capacity issues and training within the Finance Department. We have the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (PSASB) that prescribes the format in which the financial statements should be submitted. We have recommended that moving forward, all counties must align their financial statements to the PSASB."},{"id":1494663,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494663/?format=json","text_counter":380,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"There was also the common issue of non-remittance of statutory deductions by these companies. This is a compliance issue and an offence. We have directed the counties involved to make sure that they submit their financial statements on time. The matter of the transfer of assets and liabilities for these water companies was also a major issue. Inter-Governmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC)) has been handling this matter but it is taking too long. I think it is important for these water companies to have their assets in their name so that their financial statements are not overstated."},{"id":1494664,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494664/?format=json","text_counter":381,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"There was also the matter of declustering and clustering, which we reported that Bungoma and Trans Nzoia are now in the process of completing their declustering process so that they have separate water companies. The same applies to Kisii and Nyamira. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."},{"id":1494665,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494665/?format=json","text_counter":382,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"The specific issues that came up, for example, for Bomet County, was the matter of a project by the name Kamureito Water Supply, which we referred to the Ethics and Anticorruption Commission (EACC) for investigation."},{"id":1494666,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494666/?format=json","text_counter":383,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"There was also a serious problem with unremitted statutory deductions amounting to about Kshs12.9 million. The issue of accuracy and recoverability of outstanding trade receivables amounting to Kshs219 million. This matter, again, has been referred to EACC for further investigation, because we cannot have this huge amount of money not recovered, and whose supporting documents are not available."},{"id":1494667,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494667/?format=json","text_counter":384,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"The matter of the stalled Chebunyo-Siongiroi Water Project, which has stalled for many years amounting to Kshs17.5 million, again, this matter was referred to EACC. Gusii Water and Sanitation Company Limited which serves Kisii and Nyamira counties had a whopping Kshs39.6 million as trade payables. Again, we recommended that these trade payables be reduced. Non-revenue water in this particular company is one of the highest at 46 per cent with a wage bill of 69 per cent. Mr. Speaker, Sir, Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company Limited is one of the most successful water companies. That aside, we had issues with internal controls especially on the matter of exhaust revenues, how ticketing is done, and how movement of the exhaust is managed, leading to loss of company funds, unrealistic budgets and plans, and of course, high non-revenue water. Regarding Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited, the issue that was noted was lack of budget control and performance, which resulted to a revenue shortfall of Kshs40 million. There is also the issue of high non-revenue water that stands at 57 per cent. Again, there was the matter of unsupported debt with the cost of water services amounting to Kshs180 million. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, in Vihiga County, Amatsi Water Services Company Limited was noted to have long outstanding receivables of Kshs63 million and inaccurate trade and other payables amounting to Kshs50 million. This matter was noted and passed to the EACC for further interrogation and investigation. In Nyeri County, there is Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company Limited which had outstanding debts totaling Kshs237 million. That has been outstanding for a long time. Again, this is linked to the Water Works Company. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I commend Members who participated in this debate. This is the first report on water companies that my Committee has submitted to this House. We still have other five more Motions to go on this matter. I hope we will have those Motions debated and adopted by this House before we go for recess, so that next year the committee can start handling current issues, that is, for Financial Years 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025. I want to commend Members of my committee because this is the first report of a committee of the Senate on audit reports for water companies. Due to that, we are beginning to see some improvement in the governance of water companies in our counties. However, we still have challenges. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of ownership of the companies, we have ensured that almost all water companies are now owned by county governments. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."},{"id":1494668,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494668/?format=json","text_counter":385,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"Before, these water companies were either owned by groups in our counties or people who were not in the county governments. Through the intervention of the committee, I am happy to report that most counties have now complied. I am also happy to note that one of the water companies that was being run by private individuals in Murang’a, that is Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company, which is one of the most successful water companies, has now been reverted fully to the county government of Murang’a. There are many other cases. I know there are cross-cutting issues that we identified. They are not necessarily audit issues but that will be presented to this House in a separate report on matters of water management in our counties. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I do not want to go beyond that. I beg to reply and request that putting of the question be rescheduled to another date, pursuant to Standing Order No.66(3)."},{"id":1494669,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494669/?format=json","text_counter":386,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(An hon. Senator spoke off record)"},{"id":1494670,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494670/?format=json","text_counter":387,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Osotsi","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":13588,"legal_name":"Osotsi Godfrey Otieno","slug":"osotsi-godfrey-otieno"},"content":"You are asking me about Garissa County. That is in a different report which is coming."},{"id":1494671,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1494671/?format=json","text_counter":388,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Abdul Haji","speaker_title":"The Temporary Speaker","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Senator. It is so deferred."}]}