Tharaka Nithi Under Fire For Running Municipality Without Board

Tharaka Nithi County has come under sharp criticism from the Senate over governance and financial irregularities in Kathwana Municipality and Nithi Water and Sanitation Company during the 2023/24 financial year.

The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, summoned Governor Muthomi Njuki and his executive team to explain audit queries.

Among the concerns was the revelation that Kathwana Municipality operated without a legally established board when its budget was approved.

“Operating without a duly constituted board is a serious breach,” Senator Osotsi said. “We also found no evidence of the municipality collecting any of its own revenue.”

Governor Njuki admitted that the municipality lacked a board at the time but said steps were being taken to resolve the matter.

“The board was not in place then, but we are addressing it. We now have a fixed assets register,” he told the committee.

The committee also raised concerns about Nithi Water and Sanitation Company, which reported a 56% non-revenue water rate—meaning more than half of its water supply was lost without generating income.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu described the figure as unacceptable and called for urgent action to reduce the losses.

In response, Njuki defended the water company’s efforts, noting that it had recovered Sh31 million in receivables and cleared Sh12 million in pending bills.

He added that new tariffs had been introduced to help address rising wage costs.