‘Koti Moja’ on the spot over Eldoret water firm
By Rawlings, March 9, 2023
Senators yesterday put Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii on the spot over alleged incompetence at the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS).
The lawmakers instead, asked the County chief to fire the board of directors at the Water utility firm if any meaningful financial propriety is to be achieved.
Appearing before the Senate’s Public Investments and Special Funds committee chaired by Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), it emerged that the board has failed to secure ownership documents to safeguard more than 65 hectares of land belonging to the firm from theft.
The Senators put to task to the Uasin Gishu boss Bii and Eldowas Managing Director Peter Biwott to explain why they failed to secure land documents in the last 10 years.
“This board must go so that you can have a new board that can help you steer the company,” said Kisumu senator Tom Ojienda.
This even as the committee pushed the company to expose politicians and other top state officials owing it over Sh396million.
Relevant authorities
A report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu for 2020-21 financial year says the company failed to include it in its list of assets, some eight parcels of land which were transferred to it from the defunct Eldoret Municipality.
The company, through its Managing Director, said that the management was pursuing ownership of the parcels of land with the relevant authorities, adding that they are likely to acquire the documents in six months.
“Once all relevant documents are available, valuation will be done to confirm the cost and the amount will be recognised in the asset register and financial statement,” said Biwott.
“If you could not get the title in 10 years, how sure are you will get them in six months,” posed Osotsi.