Auditor General Edward Ouko speaking to a press conference in a past function.[Photo/Daily Nation]
The auditor general office will enhance its oversight of projects and programs in counties to ensure prudent use of resources allocated to them.
Speaking in Garissa when he officially opened the regional hub office, the Auditor General Edward Ouko said that with more resources being allocated to the counties, it calls for closer supervision and monitoring so that the common Mwananchi can get value for money.
“It is not only about auditing and coming up with a report, but ensuring that resources that go into programmes and projects impact positively on the common mwananchi,” Ouko said.
The counties have been blamed for misuse of public resources and inflating the cost of projects that have led to massive wastage.
“To ensure this does not happen, we are spreading our wings to each and every county by building more offices and posting enough staff. This is one way of ensuring that projects are delivered on time and resources better utilized,” said Ouko.
Terming the Garissa audit office, the first to be built by his office as a landmark Ouko said that it took a record 18 month to be completed. The two-story building cost shs 160 million.
“We have demonstrated through this project that public money can be prudently utilized and delivered on time. This should be an eye-opener for the counties and other departments with the intention of coming up with such or similar projects,” Ouko said.
The Auditor General said that there are plans to build similar offices in Kakamega and Eldoret in the next few years. Land for the projects have already been acquired, he added.
Ouko regretted that all audit offices in the country are rented including the headquarters.
North Eastern regional commissioner Mohamud Saleh who was the chief guest challenged the office of the auditor general to closely monitor the huge financial resources being given to counties by the national government.