The Auditor General has commended the Trans Nzoia County Assembly for maintaining clean audit reports, saying the achievement demonstrates its commitment to prudent management of public resources.
Speaking during a courtesy call to the Trans Nzoia County Assembly in Kitale, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu said the Assembly had continued to receive clean audit opinions, describing the trend as encouraging, as the county government’s transition from cash-based to accrual accounting.
Gathungu said the achievement should encourage other county assemblies, particularly those charged with oversight responsibilities, to ensure their financial statements and operations comply with the law.
She said about nine county assemblies had so far received good audit reports, noting that the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) was keen to strengthen collaboration with county assemblies to enhance oversight and accountability.
Gathungu said her visit was also aimed at obtaining feedback from the Assembly on the quality and timeliness of audit reports and identifying areas where the OAG could improve its services.
“I am here on a courtesy call to get feedback on the kind of audit services and the reports we are issuing to this County Assembly for consideration so that they are able to carry out their oversight mandate as effectively and efficiently as they can,” she said.
She said the feedback would enable the OAG to improve the quality and timeliness of its reports while supporting county assemblies to effectively discharge their oversight mandate.
Gathungu said stronger collaboration between the OAG and county assemblies was particularly important in strengthening accountability in the management of public resources ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“I am very concerned about arrears because it is an electioneering period and we would like people to be accountable for the use and management of public resources in a timely manner,” she said.
She said the OAG had established 16 regional offices across the country as part of efforts to decentralize audit services and bring them closer to the people, with the Kitale Regional Office serving Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, and Turkana counties.
Gathungu said the Office would continue to devolve and decentralize its services to enhance access to timely and quality audit services at the county level.
She noted that the Constitution mandates the Auditor General to report to Parliament and county assemblies on matters relating to oversight, making engagement with the assemblies important in improving the effectiveness of audit services.
“We have received good feedback on how we can ensure that our services are timely. We also need to ensure there is capacity building at the county level and work together, especially during this transition period, so that people are brought to account,” she said.
The Auditor General said her office would also engage the county executive leadership to understand the challenges it faces in implementing audit recommendations and carrying out its mandate.
Receiving the Auditor General, Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker Andrew Wanyonyi said the Assembly had maintained a good record in financial management, having received clean audit reports for successive financial years.
Wanyonyi said the positive audit reports demonstrated the Assembly’s commitment to proper utilization of public funds and strengthening accountability.
He welcomed continued engagement between the County Assembly and the OAG, saying the feedback would help the Assembly improve its operations and oversight role.
The engagement between the two institutions is expected to strengthen accountability and promote effective management of public resources in the county.
By Sandra Omondi and Winnie Jelagat
