This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
Published on September 8, 2019, Institute of Internal Auditors of Kenya (IIAK) chairperson Victoria Angwenyi emphasized the importance of auditors in the fight against corruption.
According to Ms. Angwenyi, internal auditors should help detect fraud and report to the audit committees to prevent loss of public funds. She noted that there are dedicated audit committees doing their jobs faithfully, but more needs to be done to ensure that all ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as county governments, have established audit committees.
Ms. Angwenyi, who is also the Director School Audit Services in the Ministry of Education, highlighted the challenges facing the auditing process in Kenya, including the lack of automation using TeamMate internal audit management software, failure to implement recommendations of auditors' reports, and personal integrity issues.
She revealed that the Ministry of Education currently has 200 internal auditors instead of the 500 needed, who are serving all 47 counties. Ms. Angwenyi also emphasized the need for enough vehicles and financial support to reach all the schools assigned to them.
Automation, she said, could have quickened the process, unlike the current manual process that takes longer than the normal 14 to 21 days. The software is currently being used at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and National Treasury.
Ms. Angwenyi also mentioned that they are currently developing the private sector audit bill, which is still in a draft stage, to regulate the profession for both public and private auditors.
