Auditor-General Edward Ouko has acknowledged improved compliance from county governments in submitting audit reports, while identifying persistent challenges with the IFMIS financial system. Speaking at a devolution conference in Kirinyaga county, he noted growing interest in financial audits but emphasized systemic mismatches between county records and IFMIS data.
Ouko proposed establishing separate IFMIS frameworks for national and county governments to enhance accuracy. 'Having two levels of IFMIS will be a good move for effectiveness,' he stated, underscoring the need for tailored financial management structures.
Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo jnr criticized the Senate's role in audit oversight, citing frequent non-compliance by county leaders. He argued that legislative focus should shift from financial scrutiny to policy development, advocating for performance audits over traditional financial reviews. 'The world has moved. Let us move to doing performance audits as opposed to financial audits,' he said.
The senator also called for reallocating training funds to strengthen Senate capacity, enabling more effective oversight. 'Conditional grants for financial training should also benefit the Senate to allow smooth oversight,' he added.
