Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has officially launched a new six-member County Executive Audit Committee, a decisive move aimed at plugging financial leakages and ensuring transparent management of public resources.

In a relentless push to streamline county governance, Governor Natembeya has institutionalized an independent oversight body. This new audit team is tasked with scrutinizing public expenditure and dismantling entrenched networks of corruption.

Since the advent of devolution, Kenyan counties have grappled with the twin demons of massive pending bills and financial mismanagement, which severely stunt grassroots development. By establishing a robust, independent audit committee, Trans Nzoia is setting a stringent precedent for fiscal discipline, signaling to investors and residents alike that every shilling of the county budget will be rigorously accounted for.

Strengthening Corporate Governance

Speaking in Kitale town during the inauguration ceremony, Governor Natembeya emphasized that the establishment of the committee is far more than a mere legal formality. It is a cornerstone of his administration's strategy to restore public trust. The initiative aligns seamlessly with national government guidelines introduced in 2016 to fortify corporate governance within devolved units.

The newly minted committee is chaired by Tulienge Anne Nangila, bringing a wealth of experience to the critical oversight role. The team comprises highly qualified professionals, including Makokha Shadrack Nasengo, Mwitari Geoffrey Kiruki, Simwelo Hudson Juma, and Scholastic Nalobile. Andrew Wepukhulu Wekesa, the Head of Internal Audit, will serve as the committee's secretary. The Governor was explicit in his directive: the committee is not expected to be a rubber stamp for the executive. Instead, they are mandated to provide a constructive challenge to county leadership, offering an independent perspective to guarantee cost-effective and lawful governance.

Targeting High-Risk Financial Areas

The audit team faces a daunting inbox. Their immediate focus will be on high-risk areas consistently flagged in previous Auditor General reports. The Governor has mandated them to relentlessly pursue the resolution of unsupported payments, aggressively manage the ballooning county wage bill, and ensure absolute compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

• Six-member committee chaired by Tulienge Anne Nangila.
• Mandated to address pending bills, unsupported payments, and the wage bill.
• Goal to improve Trans Nzoia's Auditor General standing to "unqualified."
• Enforces adherence to the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

Furthermore, the committee is tasked with recovering massive revenue arrears and ensuring the meticulous maintenance of cash books. The ultimate objective of these sweeping reforms is highly ambitious: to elevate the Auditor General's opinion on Trans Nzoia's financial statements from the current "qualified" status to an "unqualified" rating. Such an achievement would indicate total compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards.

Restoring Public Confidence

The leadership of Trans Nzoia recognizes that development cannot thrive in a vacuum of transparency. By empowering an independent audit unit, the county is actively attempting to dismantle systemic inefficiencies that have historically siphoned funds away from critical sectors like healthcare and agriculture.

"Our residents have an undeniable right to know how their resources are being used. By upholding the national values of accountability, we will ensure our county remains a leader in prudent fiscal management."