Vihiga Governor Wilbur Ottichilo faced a hostile Senate committee yesterday, struggling to explain how Ksh 89 million vanished from the county’s water coffers while taps across the region ran dry.

The grilling session at Bunge Towers exposed the systemic rot in county utilities, raising critical questions about why devolved units are hemorrhaging billions in "non-revenue water" while residents resort to buying jerrycans from cartels. This is not just a Vihiga problem; it is a national indictment of how public resources are being piped into private pockets.

"Motorbikes Are Not Water"

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, did not mince words. The Auditor General’s report revealed that Amatsi Water Services Company produced water valued at Ksh 229 million but could not account for Ksh 89 million—a staggering 44% loss. When pressed for answers, the Governor’s defense that the funds were used for "administrative costs," including the purchase of motorbikes, was met with incredulity.

"You are losing almost half your water, yet the response is that motorbikes were bought and meetings held?" Senator Osotsi fired back. "That is not a solution. Where is the accountability for the Ksh 89 million lost? You cannot drink a motorbike."

The Governor, visibly cornered, attempted to shift the blame to "aging infrastructure" and "sabotage" by county staff. He claimed that vandalism was the primary driver of the losses and promised a new strategy to replace old pipes. However, the committee noted that despite years of similar promises and over Ksh 1.7 billion pumped into water projects like the Belgium-sponsored cluster, residents in Maseno, Lunyerere, and Kaimosi still lack a steady supply.

• The Sabotage Defense: County Secretary Ezekiel Ayiego supported the Governor’s claims, stating, "The major problem the governor is experiencing is sabotage from his own staff."
• The Financial Black Hole: The committee observed that Amatsi has unresolved audit queries spanning years, including unsupported board allowances and weak revenue collection systems.
• The Ultimatum: The Senate has warned that unless Amatsi demonstrates measurable improvement, the continued losses will be sanctioned as a waste of public resources, potentially leading to prosecution.

A thirsty County

For the residents of Vihiga, the boardroom drama offers little solace. "We were told the projects were almost complete and they were piping water to the communities," said James Kitiezo, a resident. "We are still waiting." The disconnect between the Governor’s "turnaround strategy" and the reality on the ground is stark. While the county administration drafts new bills—like the Vihiga County Water and Sanitation Services Bill, 2024—to create "Rural Water Boards," the fundamental issue of accountability remains unaddressed.

As Ottichilo retreated from the Senate chamber, the cloud of the Ksh 89 million loss hung heavy. In a country where every drop counts, Vihiga’s water crisis is a sobering reminder that without integrity, devolution is just a leaky pipe.