Woman seeks public audit of Nakuru hospital's accounts

A woman in Nakuru has filed a petition for the court to order a public audit of the accounts of the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital (PGH).

Margaret Njeri has sued the Chief Officer (CO) of Health Services, the Medical Superintendent of PGH, and the manager of National Bank Limited Nakuru Branch.

Njeri, through her Lawyer Kevin Ngware wants Judge Hedwig Ong’udi to compel the facility's superintendent to furnish the court with complete books of accounts of the facility for public scrutiny.

She also wants the court to compel the bank manager to file complete records of accounts held under the PGH name.

“Furnishing of the records of accounts will ensure there is accountability in the use of public funds with regards to the provision of health care in Nakuru,” she deposes.

She wants the court to declare that the three are operating PGH accounts in an unconstitutional manner and breach of statutes preventing public funds from misuse.

Further, Njeri wants the CO and the superintendent to be removed from office for alleged gross misconduct in the alleged misuse of public funds meant for the hospital.

“The court should prohibit the bank manager from acting or executing any mandate as a signatory of accounts associated with PGH,” she submits.

Njeri alleges that the CO, the superintendent, and the bank manager are colluding to mishandle and mismanage funds meant to enhance the quality of medical services at the hospital.

She notes that the three are signatories to the bank accounts that hold all revenue collected by PGH.

According to Njeri, the bank manager has control over the disbursement of public funds although he is not a public servant.

“The funds collected are meant to enhance the hospital’s infrastructure,” she states.

She accuses the three of operating the said accounts without oversight, adhering to public procurement policy, and setting accounting standards of government-run institutions.

“The above set of circumstances has led to the robbery of public coffers and the running down of the hospital,” she deposes.

She states that the funds in other counties are collected via mobile payments and a till number to ensure there is no leakage of funds as had been the case when cash was involved in.

She also submits that the funds in Nakuru should be deposited in a government collective pot where all monies collected as revenue by the county are remitted.

She claims that the three have abused their offices and the approval of the alleged malpractice by the county government officials, has indulged in corruption and mismanagement.

Further, Njeri claims that the same has led to the opaque hiring of casual staff without competitive processes.

“The CO and the superintendent have engaged in blatant mismanagement of funds inclusive of unexplained interdepartmental funds transfers and irregular expenditures,” she states.

She adds that the premier health facility lacks a substantive procurement plan and the budget-making process is opaque, cloaked in secrecy, and devoid of any public prosecution.

The court has certified the application as urgent and urged parties to file responses by March 3.

The case will be mentioned on March 11 for directions.