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In a move to bolster financial accountability in county healthcare management, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds, led by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, held meetings with the governors of Kilifi and Kwale counties. The discussions focused on addressing various Auditor-General reports on the financial statements of health facilities and municipalities in both counties.
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In the morning session, Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung'aro appeared before the committee to respond to audit queries concerning the Kilifi Health Services Fund and the municipalities of Malindi and Kilifi for the fiscal years 2019/20 to 2022/23. The committee granted Governor Mung'aro additional time to prepare responses to the audit reports of the municipalities. However, regarding the Kilifi Health Services Improvement Fund, Senator Osotsi emphasized, "The Governor must ensure the Accounting Officer provides all necessary documents during the audit process, or face investigation and possible prosecution." The committee directed that regulations supporting the fund be enacted by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year and aligned with the Facilities Improvement Financing Act, 2023.
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Later in the afternoon, the committee convened with Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani to scrutinize the financial statements of several hospitals, including Msambweni, Lunga Lunga, and Kinango, for the fiscal years 2021/22 and 2022/23. The committee identified several management and financial challenges across the hospitals and issued directives to improve their financial performance. Senator Tom Ojienda underscored the importance of automation, stating, "Automation is essential for accountability and efficiency in our healthcare system."
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Both governors were directed to implement internal control policies, enhance budgetary control measures, ensure timely document submission during audits, and automate internal processes by the 2024/2025 financial year.