Auditor General decries low implementation of audit recommendations

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has criticised national and county governments for routinely disregarding audit recommendations, warning the trend is eroding accountability and undermining service delivery.

Speaking during the opening of the Auditor General’s Eastern Regional offices in Embu County, Gathungu cited data from parliamentary oversight committees showing that only 21% of her office’s recommendations have been acted on.

She described the 79% non-implementation rate as dismally low, saying it reflects a worrying lack of commitment by public entities to address audit findings.

Gathungu noted that ignoring the recommendations erodes the foundations of transparency and good governance.

She added that the trend denies citizens reliable services by compromising the government’s ability to deliver effectively.

Gathungu urged counties to strengthen their procurement systems by adopting legal safeguards such as exit clauses in contracts before awarding tenders.

She explained that such clauses would empower counties to terminate contracts if contractors fail to meet quality standards or deliver projects on time adding that the measures are crucial to safeguard public funds from wastage and improve efficiency in service delivery.