Governor Mung’aro on the spot over water firms crisis in Kilifi
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, January 21, 2026The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds has subjected Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro to scrutiny over the audit report of Kilifi Water and Sewerage Company and Malindi Water and Sewage Company, citing operational failure and financial distress.
Appearing before the Senate committee on county public investment and special funds, which is chaired by Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi at Bunge Towers on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Kilifi governor Gedion Mung’aro faced questions of misappropriation as per the audit report.
At Malindi Water and Sewerage Company, the audit report indicated that the non-revenue water experienced a whopping percentage increase of up to 42 per cent from 16 per cent in the financial year 2024/2025.
Addressing the sitting, the chair of the committee, Senator Osotsi, questioned how a hike could occur without an explanation.
“A jump of this magnitude is not normal. It raises a serious question about whether water is being lost through leaks, theft, or deliberate manipulation. I hope it’s not a strategy. Until you tell us how much is lost, who is responsible, and when it will stop, this Committee remains unconvinced,” Osotsi said.
Mungaro’s defence
In his defence, Mung’aro acknowledged the challenges and asked the Senate committee to allow the County Government of Kilifi time to take measures to curb the disparities reported.
“We have put turnaround strategies in place to reduce non-revenue water and return these companies to profitability,” Mung’aro stated.
Auditor General’s report
The questioning had followed the report by the auditor general, indicating that both Kilifi and Malindi water and sewarage companies had been flagged as technically insolvent, with uncertainty of their ability to continue operating.
The Senate committee, however, labelled the management as insolvent and the statements by the governor as contradictory, even though Mung’aro insisted on a plan to return the operations of the water firms to normalcy.
His grilling came hours after Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya was brought to task over similar issues relating to water bills and the general management.