This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally nominated a new Auditor General, ending a long period of uncertainty in the office. Nancy Janet Kabui Gathungu has been nominated for the position, and her name has been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting.
According to State House, Ms. Gathungu emerged as the top candidate from a pool of three presented to President Kenyatta by the recruitment panel. Prior to her nomination, she worked as the Director of Audit in the Office of the Auditor General.
The office of the Auditor General fell vacant in August 2019 following the retirement of Edward Ouko after eight years in office. President Kenyatta has been criticized for delaying the nomination, with many Kenyans fearing that the vacancy was a loophole for looting public coffers.
ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi had voiced his concerns over the vacancy, saying it cast the government as an institution that does not want to be transparent. He questioned whether the delay was a scheme to allow theft from public coffers or a cartel looking for a politically correct candidate.
Former Auditor General Edward Ouko concurred with Mudavadi, stating from experience that the vacancy was a window for theft. He expressed concern that the recruitment process should have started earlier and that the vacancy was a professional office that did not require a vote or election.
During his time as Auditor General, Ouko had numerous run-ins with the executive and was criticized for exposing corruption in the government. He also revealed that the government withdrew his security and benefits after his term expired, leaving him living in fear.
