This archive report was first published on 20 June 2020.
Activist Okiya Omtatah Challenges President Kenyatta's Nomination of Auditor General ¶
On June 19, 2020, activist Okiya Omtatah filed a case at the High Court seeking to quash the shortlist of candidates submitted for the vacant position of Auditor General.
President Kenyatta had already nominated Nancy Janet Kabui Gathungu to the position, but Omtatah argues that the candidates cannot be eligible a few months after they were rejected.
According to Omtatah, the selection panel's decision to shortlist the candidates is ultra vires, as they were interviewed in October and December 2019 and declared unqualified for the position by the predecessor interview panel.
He further argues that the current selection panel does not have jurisdiction to sit on appeal over decisions of the former panel.
Omtatah claims that the failed candidates, including Dr. Leonard Rang'ala Lari, Edwin Kipkoech Kamar, Silvester Ngei Kiini, Elizabeth Wangui Nguringa Mwathi, Abdullah Idris Abdi, Meshack Hannington Obiero Onyango, and Dennis Theuri Kariuki, cannot be eligible a few months later.
He also argues that the selection panel failed to hold the interviews in public, as required by the Constitution and the Public Audit Act.
According to Omtatah, the interviews were all done in camera, and the media was not allowed to cover the proceedings.
He argues that this was a fatal blow to the recruitment process, as it was done in complete disregard of the specific requirements for transparency and accountability in the Constitution and the Public Audit Act.
