Senate probe reveals alarming financial mismanagement in Mandera healthcare facilities

A Senate investigation into Mandera County's healthcare facilities has exposed alarming financial mismanagement across six key medical facilities, raising serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of the region's public health infrastructure.

The investigation, led by the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, revealed widespread irregularities spanning several key hospitals and municipal authorities in the county.

The audit, covering the years 2021 to 2023, focused on the Mandera County Referral Hospital, Elwak Sub-County Referral Hospital, Mandera North Sub-County Level Hospital, Lafey Sub-County Level 4 Hospital, and the municipalities of Mandera and Elwak.

The investigation, chaired by Senator Godfrey Osotsi, uncovered a pattern of financial mismanagement that paints a grim picture of the county's healthcare operations.

One of the most troubling findings from the Senate investigation was the persistent failure to maintain proper financial records.

According to the Auditor General's report, these healthcare institutions have consistently lacked accurate documentation of their assets, liabilities, and inventory. This has left significant gaps in understanding the true financial standing of the facilities.

A deeper dive into the financial transactions revealed a concerning lack of proper documentation for many expenditures.

Numerous transactions lacked receipts, contracts, or other verifiable proof, raising questions about the integrity of procurement practices and financial oversight.

The absence of transparent records has made it impossible to confirm whether these expenses were legitimate.

"These financial irregularities point to deeply entrenched systemic weaknesses in Mandera County's financial management and internal control mechanisms," said Senator Godfrey Osotsi during the committee's proceedings.

He expressed frustration over the lack of proper governance and oversight in the county's healthcare sector.

Governance and operational gaps

Further compounding the issues, the investigation found that several healthcare facilities were operating without approved budgets or risk management frameworks.

Many lacked disaster recovery protocols, putting the health of county residents at risk in the event of an emergency.

A key governance issue highlighted by the Senate committee was the absence of functional management boards at these facilities, weakening oversight and leaving operations vulnerable to inefficiency and mismanagement.

"The absence of these critical oversight structures makes it impossible for these facilities to operate in an accountable and transparent manner," Senator Osotsi added.

The report also highlighted that the county has repeatedly failed to remit essential employee deductions to national funds, such as the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

These delays have left healthcare workers without critical benefits and raised concerns about the financial health of these programs.

In their defence, administrators at the affected healthcare facilities pointed to the unique challenges of operating in a remote area like Mandera.

Persistent security concerns, logistical challenges, and dependence on the County Executive for funding and procurement processes were cited as factors complicating operations.

Despite acknowledging the shortcomings, the administrators stressed that they were in the process of implementing remedial measures to address some of the issues identified in the audit.

However, the Auditor General's office remains skeptical about the accuracy and completeness of the financial records, insisting that significant compliance issues remain unresolved.

As the investigation continues, the Senate committee is set to propose a series of reforms aimed at addressing these systemic issues in Mandera County's healthcare system.

The committee has pledged to issue recommendations that will focus on improving financial accountability, transparency, and operational efficiency across the region's public health facilities.

"The findings of this investigation show an urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Mandera County's financial management systems. It's time to ensure these institutions are accountable and serve the people of Mandera with the professionalism and transparency they deserve," Senator Osotsi concluded.