Nairobi, Kenya – A new bill introduced by Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader, has ignited a heated debate regarding the future structure of Kenya’s national audit office.
The proposed legislation seeks to remove the Auditor General as the head of the office, entrusting an Audit Advisory Board with control over budgets, human resources, and other significant decisions.
This proposal comes at a time when the Auditor-General has been exposing significant misuse of public funds by the current government. Recent reports have revealed that billions of shillings cannot be accounted for, with the latest scandals involving the alleged misuse of Ksh 1.3 trillion over the past seven months.
Additionally, the Auditor-General has uncovered that the Social Health Authority (SHA) is not managed by the Kenyan government, and 2.5% of Kenyans’ contributions are being remitted to the owners of the system.
Critics argue that this change could compromise the independence of the Auditor-General, who plays a crucial role in ensuring government accountability and transparency. On social media, many citizens and analysts have voiced their concerns about potential conflicts of interest and reduced oversight of public funds.
Supporters of the bill, however, claim that the introduction of an Audit Advisory Board would streamline decision-making processes and enhance the efficiency of the national audit office.
As the debate unfolds, the future of the Auditor-General’s role and the overall effectiveness of government oversight remain central issues in this contentious discussion.
Hii ufala iishe buana, We rejectthis bill even before its debate.