MPs fast track naming of new Auditor General
Parliament is proposing amendments to the law to fast track the appointment of the Auditor General.
Members of the Public Investment Committee (PIC) seek to ensure continuity during the transition period since the delay in the replacement of the auditor is hindering submission of audited reports by State agencies and corporations.
A report tabled by committee chairman Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir says delaying the report was a breach of existing constitutional timelines with Central Bank of Kenya asking for more time to submit its report in the absence of the auditor.
Yesterday, Nassir said though the CBK’s financial statements for 2018/19 had been audited, they had not been signed and certified by the Auditor General, as required by law, before they can be presented to the National Treasury Cabinet secretary.
Audited reports
Other State corporations affected by the absence of the auditor are the Capital Markets Authority, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Power, KenGen and East African Portland Cement.
The term of the former AG Edward Ouko ended on August 27, and though a selection panel has been set to recruit a new office holder, the position remains vacant.
PFK consulting partner Michael Mburugu says it is unfortunate that the country always allows such a crisis yet the law is very clear. “There should be no vacuum,” he said.
Only a substantive holder of the position can be allowed to sign the audited reports after the High Court declared unconstitutional an amendment to the Public Finance Management Act that had granted powers to the Deputy Auditor General to act on the AG’s behalf whenever the position is vacant, arguing that such a position was not recognised in law.
