Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has called on public institutions to embrace risk-based audits and structured enterprise risk management systems to curb the misuse of public funds. Speaking during a virtual consultative meeting with Principal Secretaries and internal audit professionals across public entities, Koskei emphasized the urgent need to strengthen accountability and compliance mechanisms within government operations.
The meeting, convened to assess progress under the ongoing Zero Fault Audit Campaign, brought together key actors in the internal audit function to discuss ways of reinforcing transparency and integrity in public financial management.
Koskei urged internal auditors to confront challenges such as the misuse of imprests and the circumvention of procurement procedures. He described internal auditors as the first line of defense in protecting public resources and stressed that they must be empowered to function independently while exercising professional courage.
“The reform journey continues with clarity and determination. Every shilling must be accounted for and every officer must uphold the public trust,” said Koskei. He noted that building a strong culture of compliance requires commitment from all public servants, with internal audit placed at the heart of financial governance.
Highlighting the progress of the Zero Fault Audit Campaign, Koskei reported that public entities are beginning to experience fewer adverse audit outcomes and are demonstrating greater institutional responsiveness. He added that there is a noticeable improvement in the stewardship of public resources, a clear indication that accountability reforms are gaining traction.
“The conversation focused on strengthening accountability systems, building a culture of compliance, and ensuring that internal audit takes its rightful place at the centre of public financial management,” he added.
Koskei reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that internal audit functions are no longer treated as a formality but as essential components of strategic governance. He concluded by urging public officers to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to mismanagement and to champion transparency in all fiscal matters.
The push for risk-based audits reflects the administration’s broader goal of fostering ethical governance, minimizing financial wastage, and restoring public confidence in state institutions.
