Kinyanjui hires auditors to boost Nakuru's war against corruption

The fight against corruption in Nakuru County has received a boost after Governor Lee Kinyanjui's administration hired 27 internal auditors in a move aimed at streamlining financial management.

This is part of a raft of reforms the county has implemented in the past one year and which aim at strengthening public finance management systems, tame graft as well as ensure a high absorption of cash in development projects in the region.

According to Governor Kinyanjui, the internal auditors will streamline financial management, track the county’s use of taxpayer funds and monitor its progress towards meeting departmental goals.

"The hiring of auditors will bring financial discipline to the departments within the county government, ensure prudent use of public funds and value for money in development projects initiated across the county," said Mr Kinyanjui.

OATH OF SECRECY

The auditors took the oath of secrecy that was administered by the County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange on Wednesday.

Governor Kinyanjui urged the auditors to practice secrecy and use their positions to guide the management of resources in the county government and ensure they are well-utilised.

Among the mandates of the internal auditors will be helping detect fraud and reporting to set audit committees and other authorities to avert loss of public funds.

The establishment of audit committees is a requirement in all ministries, departments, agencies and county governments.

During his tenure, former Auditor-General Edward Ouko urged counties to hire internal auditors amid concerns that shortage of staff at the national audit office led to delays in the compilation and release of financial expenditure reports.

MISUSE OF TAXPAYERS’ MONEY

He made the appeal at a time when a number of governors and county assemblies grappled with charges linked to the misuse of taxpayers’ money.

MCAs and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika have in the past faulted Governor Kinyanjui's administration over poor absorption rate of development funds.

The county, is for instance, on the spot for spending only Sh751.5 million of its Sh8 billion development budget in the first nine months of the 2018/19 financial year.

And to ensure proper utilisation of the county government's budgets, Governor Kinyanjui last year restructured the procurement department to make it strong and appointed Mr Samuel Wachira as the acting director of procurement.

In the 2019/2020 budget, the development expenditure was allocated Sh10.5 billion, 49 per cent of the total Sh21.3 billion budget.

Mr Kinyanjui also named Mr Grishon Githiomi as the deputy director of procurement.

The move was aimed at revamping the department to ensure it is proactive in ensuring budgeted money is fully spent on development projects.

LOW FUNDS ABSORPTION

The procurement process has in the past been blamed for low absorption of development funds.

To ensure prudent use of public funds, accountability and service delivery to residents, Governor Kinyanjui also constituted the first ever internal audit committee in the county and the Nakuru County Budget and Economic Forum.

The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act 2012, mandates counties to establish and strengthen the county budget and economic forums.

The forum is important in the budget process as it facilitates consultations between citizens and county governments on planning, budgeting and overall economic advancement.

It is therefore an integral part of development.

Members of the forum help in preparation of the county’s fiscal strategy paper, budget review outlook paper and advice on budget and economic matters.

The body also plays a key role in the management of public finances by ensuring public input is incorporated to inform planning, county borrowing and wage bills.