- A Senate watchdog committee has summoned State House Deputy Chief of Staff and former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok over controversy surrounding ownership of water firms owned by the devolved unit.
- The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee summoned the former County chief to appear before it to explain why he has been listed as director of Turkana County Rural Water Services.
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
A Senate watchdog committee has summoned State House Deputy Chief of Staff and former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok over controversial ownership of water firms in the county.
The Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee summoned the former County chief to appear before it to explain why he has been listed as director of Turkana County Rural Water Services.
“The committee has resolved to invite the former Governor Josphat Nanok alongside current governor Jeremiah Lomurkai to address Lodwar Water Company, the resulting audit issues and past operations of the company on June 26, 2023,” committee chairman Godfrey Osotsi said.
The committee also directed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to launch investigations into the activities of Lodwar Water and Sanitation Company.
The anti-graft agency has been asked to submit a preliminary report within 14 days.
This is after the Committee established that Nanok alongside other top county officials are co-directors of Turkana County Urban Water and Sewerage Services and Turkan County Rural Water Services Limited.
“We are directing the Office of the Auditor General to undertake a thorough forensic audit on the operation of the water facility firm and file a report within 60 days,” Osotsi said.
The committee also directed the devolved unit to provide detailed information on the 40 per cent share of Lodwar Water and Sanitation Company (Lowasco) and the worth of shareholders.
Lowasco is co-owned by the county government and a private firm in the ratio of 60:40 percent respectively.
Water Act 2016 provides that water companies should be exclusively owned by the devolved units.
The firm was not among the assets the Transition Authority submitted to the county government following the advent of devolution.
However, the firm is yet to be wound up despite the express provisions that limit ownership to the county government.
Yesterday, Governor Lomurkai was at pains to explain how Turkana County is not the only shareholder in two water utility firms.
Lomurkai said that Turkana County has the highest number of livestock in the country, thus the need to have the two water companies provide clean drinking water for both human and animal consumption.
“We have the highest number of livestock in the country. It was necessary to have the two-water firm to enable us to serve our people and their livestock,” Lomurkai said.
Committee vice chairman and Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda questioned the governor whether the County transferred the assets from LOWASCO to the two water firms.
“Did you comply with the Water Act 2016 that provides that assets, liabilities and obligations existing before the commencement of the act be done within three years? Posed Ojienda.
Section 150 (1) of the Water Services Act states that all property, assets, rights, liabilities, obligations, agreements and other arrangements existing at the commencement of this Act and vested in, acquired, incurred or entered into by or on behalf of the Water Services Regulatory Board established by the Water Act.
According to Osotsi, the county should also provide an updated asset register, noting that there is a Sh1 million in the bank account for LOWASCO.
“We recommend that the County take over the operations of the management of Lodwar Water and Sanitation Company within 90 days,” he directed.