Senate uncovers severe neglect, mismanagement at Busia County Referral Hospital
A joint inspection by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Senate Education Committee found the county’s flagship hospital struggling with critical deficiencies.
Concerns have emerged over the state of Busia County Referral Hospital after a Senate inspection revealed severe mismanagement and neglect in both health and education facilities, depriving thousands of residents of essential services.
A joint inspection by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Senate Education Committee found the county’s flagship hospital struggling with critical deficiencies.
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The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) remains nonfunctional despite Sh5 million reportedly spent on a consultancy to conduct a feasibility study.
Additionally, the dialysis machine has stalled, the hospital has no operational ambulance, and the oxygen plant is nonfunctional “because of a missing valve.”
“This is a matter that requires urgent intervention,” PAC Chairman Moses Kajwang said.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah echoed the concerns, lamenting that “everything in Busia requires attention.”
The Senate also criticised the county for reportedly paying Sh4 million to a consultant to determine the classification level of Busia County Referral Hospital, which is already designated as a Level 5 facility.
The Education Committee raised alarm over the state of early childhood development (ECD) centres in Anuai, Nambale, Okisimo, and Manyole. Senators observed classrooms with cracked walls, leaking roofs and a severe shortage of learning materials, describing the situation as “a devastating learning crisis.”
“We have buildings with no equipment and they have been here for three months without capitation,” Nominated Senator Betty Montet said.
Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu questioned the leadership of the county administration, while Nominated Senator Margaret Kamar blamed the crisis on non-payment of contractors despite a Sh4.9 million allocation in the 2022/23 financial year.
“Governor, you are in charge of oversight. How can such a school be in such a dire situation?” Kavindu posed.
“The problem here is with the county government. In 2022/23, Sh4.9 million was allocated. They have been advertising projects, but there is no bidder because the county government does not pay contractors,” Kamar added.
The Senate has now directed the Busia County Assembly Education Committee to conduct a comprehensive audit of the county’s education sector within a month and submit a detailed report, emphasising the need for accountability and urgent intervention.
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