COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS REJECTS AUDITOR GENERAL’S PLANNED AUDIT, CITING LEGAL AND PROCEDURAL ISSUES

The Council of Governors (CoG) has raised strong objections to a proposed performance audit by the Office of the Auditor General targeting county bursaries, scholarships, and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) services, arguing that it violates legal and procedural standards. In a statement released on Monday, July 21, 2025, the CoG accused the Auditor General of exceeding constitutional and statutory timelines, failing to consult county governments, and lacking transparency in selecting counties for the audit.

The Council has taken note of the Auditor General’s communication concerning the planned audit and reiterates its position that the process contravenes constitutional and statutory timelines. Additionally, the Council emphasizes that the audit was initiated without prior consultations with county governments, lacks transparency in the selection of counties to be reviewed, and risks duplicating previous audits already conducted in these areas.

The governors warned that such unilateral actions could weaken devolution and disrupt cooperative governance. They urged the Auditor General to strictly follow the Constitution and the Public Audit Act in conducting audits. CoG Chairperson Governor Ahmed Abdullahi reaffirmed the counties’ commitment to accountability but stressed that audits must be lawful and fair. “We support lawful and collaborative audits that uphold fairness and respect for devolved governance,” he said.

The Council called on the Auditor General to work with county administrations to ensure audits add value rather than fuel unnecessary disputes. “The CoG urges the Auditor General to operate within constitutional and legal boundaries. Upholding the rule of law and devolution principles is crucial to maintaining audit integrity. The Council remains dedicated to transparency and accountable governance,” the statement read. This dispute arises amid heightened scrutiny of county programs, particularly bursaries and ECDE services, which are critical to local service delivery. The Office of the Auditor General has not yet responded to the CoG’s concerns.