Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho has called for total cooperation with the Office of the Auditor General as it seeks to audit the state department’s processes, systems and governance in the use of resources allocated to it during the 2025/2026 Financial Year.

Speaking at the ministry headquarters in Nairobi when he chaired an entry meeting for the external audit team, Kimotho emphasised the importance of the exercise for ministries, state departments and agencies (MDAs) saying that audits not only promote accountability and ensures legal compliance but also evaluate the performance of the entities.

The principal secretary affirmed that the audit process measures how well the institutions are complying with the set standards and legal frameworks, promotes accountability, evaluates performance of the entity and gives recommendations for future improvements.

He therefore urged the entity’s heads of departments to adhere to the timelines given by the external auditors, provide all the necessary information and documents on time and to also be available to respond to any queries when required.

The principal secretary observed that the state department has in the past worked well with the Office of the Auditor General by presenting all the information and documents required and revealed that they had already received an unqualified audit for the 2024/ 2025 Financial Year.

Office of the auditor general team led by the Deputy Director Audit Khadija Alugong revealed that the team will be at the state department from June 11 to July 10 for the linear audit and will later carry out the financial performance audit and field visits.

Alugong noted that it was the responsibility of the management to ensure the audit team accessed the records and information needed and that those involved in the reports’ preparation are available to respond to issues raised.

The deputy director said the state department is expected to make available all information and records needed a week before the linear audit exit on July 10, 2026, after which no further information will be acceptable.

She observed that her team will communicate the audit timelines and key milestones, as the audit process progresses.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Peninah Kihika