Auditor General Wants More Staff, More Funding To Tackle Audit Backlog
The Auditor general OAG CPA Nancy Gathungu addressing a meeting during the groundbreaking of coast regional headquarters in Makupa,Mombasa. (Photo Mbungu Harrison)
By Mbungu Harrison
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Auditor General CPA Nancy Gathungu is asking for more staff and more funding to enable her office to effectively audit county governments so as to safeguard public resources.
Speaking in Mombasa, Gathungu said the office was understaffed and struggling to meet its mandate under devolution.
“It is imperative that we deploy more resources, more staff and budgets to effectively conduct our services in the regions,” she said.
Her office is tasked with auditing over 11,300 county entities, including hospitals, schools and water agencies.
According to her increased staffing would make audit services more accessible and efficient.
“The office will ensure accessibility of audit services in a more efficient way, despite the bulk work that awaits them.”
She noted that only 84 staff were currently serving the Coast region and have been working under difficult circumstances.
She said the expanded presence would promote good governance, protect public resources, create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
Defence principal secretary Dr Patrick Mariru said the Kenya Defence Forces have taken over construction of the new Auditor General’s office in Mombasa and pledged to complete it on time.
“I want to promise that the project will be delivered on time, on quality and on standard, within cost. After 12 months, the ultramodern facility will be completed,” he said.
The PS added that the department would also undertake sports facility projects in Kilifi and Mombasa, including the Mombasa Stadium.
His treasury counterpart Chris Kiptoo said the new office would strengthen financial management and accountability across government agencies.
“Once completed, it will promote effective financial audits and ensure proper public finance accountability,” he said.
Mombasa County commissioner Mohamed Nur said the office would help address accountability issues in the region while audit committee chair Edwin Kamar described it as a major milestone for the sector.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said Mombasa County would continue to ensure prudent use of public resources.
“If there is one thing we should not politicise, it is the reports of the Auditor General,” he said.
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