Lamu Governor Issa Timamy appearing before the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPIPSF). Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds (CPIPSF) has raised concern over persistent audit irregularities across several Lamu County entities, following a review of the Auditor-General’s reports during a session held on Tuesday.
The Committee examined audit reports on five county 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. The sitting was attended by Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and members of his executive team.
Chairing the session, CPIPSF Chairperson Senator Godfrey Osotsi said the Committee was troubled by recurring issues cutting across the entities, including unsupported expenditures, weaknesses in financial reporting, and gaps in governance and internal control systems.
“These reports point to systemic challenges in the management of public resources. Our responsibility is to ensure that taxpayers’ money is protected and that corrective measures are implemented promptly and effectively,” Senator Osotsi said.
Senator Agnes Kavindu expressed concern over the persistence of similar audit queries over successive financial years, particularly within county health facilities. She cited unresolved issues such as unsupported balances, weak asset management practices, and staffing shortfalls.
“It is worrying that the same issues continue to recur year after year. Management must take clear responsibility and provide firm timelines for compliance and corrective action,” Senator Kavindu said.
In response, Governor Timamy acknowledged the audit findings, attributing some of the challenges to transitional periods and operational constraints facing county entities. He assured the Committee that the County Executive was treating the Auditor-General’s observations with the seriousness they deserved.
“We have submitted comprehensive management responses across all the entities, detailing reconciliations, updated records, and corrective measures that are already underway,” the Governor said.
Governor Timamy further noted that the county had strengthened its internal audit function, begun updating asset registers, and was aligning its financial reporting systems with national standards to enhance accountability and transparency.
“Our focus is not only on responding to the audit queries, but on putting in place measures that will prevent a recurrence of these issues in the future,” he said.
The Committee directed the Lamu County Executive to strictly adhere to the implementation timelines outlined in the management responses. It further indicated that it would evaluate the submissions before compiling its final report for tabling in the Senate.
