Senate questions Tharaka Nithi governor over SHA claims at county hospital
By Kenneth Mwenda, January 19, 2026The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds met Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and his executive team on Monday, January 19, 2026, to examine the Auditor-General’s reports on county entities, including water services, municipalities, and hospitals, with a particular focus on Chuka County Referral Hospital.
The session, chaired by Senator Peris Tobiko, highlighted persistent weaknesses in hospital governance, revenue controls, asset management, and internal audit functions.
“These are not isolated audit queries. They point to systemic failures that must be addressed decisively to protect public funds and service delivery,” Tobiko said.
The Committee noted several cross-cutting issues at Chuka Hospital, including weaknesses in revenue verification, data integrity, and internal controls. Of particular concern were discrepancies in claims submitted to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The Auditor-General’s report revealed significant differences between the amounts claimed by the hospital and the amounts approved by SHA. These variances were attributed to clerical errors, inadequate documentation, and non-adherence to SHA tariff guidelines.
Senator Beth Syengo warned that the issue could indicate more than routine mistakes.
“When a hospital submits claims running into hundreds of thousands, and what is approved is drastically lower, that borders on a scandal. This Committee must be satisfied that these were genuine mistakes and not systemic abuse,” she said.
Governor commits to reforms
Governor Njuki acknowledged the gravity of the findings and accepted responsibility for the discrepancies. He explained that the variances arose from gaps in documentation during claims submission.
“We accept responsibility. The hospital has since resubmitted corrected SHA claims, trained billing staff, and strengthened internal verification processes to prevent recurrence,” he said.
The Committee directed the County Executive to provide evidence of the corrective actions already taken. It also assured that it would closely monitor the implementation of these measures and verify them in the subsequent audit cycle.
The meeting underscores the importance of robust financial controls and governance in county hospitals, especially in handling public funds through agencies like SHA. Weak internal controls and inaccurate claims not only risk financial losses but also compromise service delivery to patients.
The Committee’s intervention comes amid broader concerns about compliance with national health funding guidelines. Hospitals are expected to adhere strictly to SHA tariffs and maintain accurate documentation for all claims. Failures in these areas have raised questions about oversight and accountability.
Governor Njuki emphasised that the county had already implemented several reforms, including retraining staff on claims procedures and improving internal audit functions.