Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok found himself in the legislative hot seat this week, facing a barrage of hostile questions from the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee. The issue: the catastrophic failure of the Bomet Water Company, a utility that is bleeding cash while residents trek kilometers in search of a clean jerrycan of water.

The session, which at times descended into a shouting match, laid bare the rot at the heart of the county's water management. Senators accused the Governor of overseeing a "cartel-ridden" system where millions of shillings in revenue vanish into thin air, and taps remain dry despite massive infrastructure investments.

The "Non-Revenue" Mystery

The Auditor General’s report, which formed the basis of the interrogation, painted a grim picture. It revealed that over 60% of the water produced by the company is classified as "Non-Revenue Water" (NRW). In layman's terms, this water is either lost to leakages or stolen through illegal connections. Senators were quick to point out that such a high figure suggests deliberate sabotage rather than mere incompetence.

"You cannot tell us that half the water just evaporates," charged Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, the committee chair. "This is not physics; this is theft. Someone is selling this water and pocketing the money, and it is happening under your watch."

• The Governor's Defense: Prof. Barchok, visibly agitated, defended his administration, blaming "historical injustices" and aging colonial-era pipes. He cited the ongoing construction of the Bosto Dam—a project backed by President Ruto—as the long-term solution. "We are fixing a plane while flying it," Barchok argued. "The pipes are bursting because they are old, not because we are stealing."
• The Billing Black Hole: The committee was unconvinced. They highlighted discrepancies in the billing system, where commercial hotels in Bomet town are paying flat rates equivalent to domestic households, depriving the utility of millions in revenue. Senator George Mbugua called for the immediate sacking of the water company’s board, terming them "parasites."

The Political Undertones

The grilling comes at a time when Barchok's political stock is facing headwinds. Critics in the county assembly have been agitating for impeachment, citing poor service delivery. The water crisis has become the focal point of local anger. In Chepalungu and Sotik, protests over water shortages are becoming a weekly occurrence.

By dragging the Governor before the cameras, the Senate has nationalized a local failure. The message to the Council of Governors is clear: the days of blaming the National Government for local failures are over. For Barchok, the water crisis is no longer just a plumbing issue; it is a political existential threat. Unless he can turn the taps on—and the revenue leaks off—his legacy may wash away with the next rains.