Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has warned county officials against withholding documents or frustrating ongoing compliance audit by the Office of the Auditor-General.

Lusaka said failure to cooperate with auditors will result in disciplinary action.

Consequently, Lusaka has directed finance officers, accountants, economists, internal auditors, chief officers and all accounting officers to provide all reports, records and supporting documents required by the audit team within the stipulated timelines.

Bungoma has consistently featured among the most corrupt counties since the 2013. In an EACC report published 2025, the county was among top 10 most corrupt, namely Nyamira, Baringo, Siaya, Bungoma and Turkana.

Speaking during an audit entry meeting at his office on Wednesday, Lusaka said transparency and accountability in the management of public resources is central to his administration and cautioned that any attempt to delay or obstruct the audit process would attract disciplinary action.

“Let me be very clear. Any officer who withholds documents, fails to submit reports or attempts to obstruct the audit process will be held personally responsible and will face appropriate disciplinary action. There will be no room for complacency where accountability is concerned,” he said.

The governor said the audit should not be viewed as a fault-finding mission but as a constitutional strengthen public financial management and improving service delivery.

He reminded county staff that the Office of the Auditor-General is an independent constitutional institution mandated to assess whether public funds are managed lawfully, efficiently and for the purposes for which they were appropriated.

Lusaka called on chief officers, directors and heads of departments to take personal responsibility for ensuring their respective departments submit complete documentation and facilitate the audit without unnecessary delays.

“This audit is not a witch-hunt but a constitutional process meant to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery. Every officer must cooperate fully and provide all the information required by the audit team without delay,” he said.

He said the findings of the audit should help the county identify weaknesses in its systems, tighten internal controls, improve financial reporting and enhance accountability in the use of public resources.

“The findings of this audit should help us identify areas for improvement, strengthen our systems and ensure that we continue delivering quality services to the people of Bungoma,” the governor said.

The compliance audit, which began with the entry meeting, will run for 17 days, during which auditors will scrutinise the county government’s financial management systems, accounting records and compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and other relevant laws and regulations.

Lusaka said his administration was committed to full compliance with the law and would use the audit to strengthen governance and safeguard public resources.

In 2025, EACC recommended charges of conflict of interest, fraudulent procurement practices, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.

Subsequently, the ODPP directed that former governor Wycliffe Wangamati be charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), read with sections 38 and 48.

Members of his family, including Michael Wangamati, Nicholas Wangamati, Edward Barasa Wangamati, and companies like Nabwala Construction, face charges of acquiring proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara