EMBU, Kenya – Nearly 80 percent of recommendations issued by the Auditor General remain unimplemented, raising fresh concerns about accountability and the misuse of public funds.
Speaking in Embu County during the launch of her office’s new Eastern Regional headquarters, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu criticised both national and county governments for failing to act on audit findings.
“Only 21 per cent of audit recommendations have been implemented. This means a staggering 79 per cent remain unaddressed,” she said, calling the situation “deeply disappointing” and a sign of weak commitment to fiscal responsibility and good governance.
Procurement Weaknesses in Counties
Gathungu urged devolved units to strengthen procurement contracts by including exit clauses that allow lawful termination when contractors fail to deliver.
“The inclusion of such provisions is critical in safeguarding public funds and ensuring that quality is not compromised,” she added.
Her remarks come amid mounting public frustration over corruption, wasteful expenditure, and persistent service delivery failures at all levels of government.
Launch of Eastern Regional Office
The new ultra-modern Auditor General’s Regional Office Block in Embu will serve Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties.
It was built through a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), the Office of the Auditor General, and the Embu County Government.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, who presided over the launch alongside Gathungu and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, hailed the project as proof of effective inter-agency collaboration.
“This facility demonstrates the power of collaboration in delivering impactful, sustainable projects to our citizens. It brings services closer to the people, enhances public service delivery, and contributes to local economic growth,” Mariru said.
Gathungu described the office as “a symbol of transparency, accountability and service to the people,” while Governor Mbarire stressed that effective audit services are essential to improving government performance.
The Embu facility is expected to expand oversight capacity in the region, but Gathungu maintained that without implementation of audit findings, the fight for accountability remains an uphill battle.
