This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
On July 17, 2020, Chief Justice David Maraga presided over the swearing-in of new Auditor General Nancy Gathungu in Nairobi. In his address, Maraga offered words of advice to the new Auditor General.
Maraga cautioned Gathungu that she may occasionally find herself on the wrong footing of fellow public officers, including his own office, but that she should always be ready to stand her ground and stick to her mandate.
He assured her that the Judiciary would give her full support, but also warned that they would not hesitate to correct her whenever she oversteps her mandate.
“Very often it is the case in leadership positions in this country that you will counter challenges. As it were, you will step on toes, some of them very thick, including even if it is that of the Chief Justice, but you are required to discharge your duty without fear or favour,” said the CJ.
Maraga emphasized the importance of the Auditor General's role in preventing public theft and protecting public resources. He stated that the Judiciary would support Gathungu in her duties, but would also correct her if she failed to meet her responsibilities.
On her part, Gathungu promised to clear the audit backlog left behind by her predecessor, Edward Ouko. She acknowledged Ouko's legacy and vowed to build on it using four pillars: Independence, Credibility, Relevance, and Accountability.
She also acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and promised to ensure that audit services and reports continue to be critical in monitoring and evaluating the outcome and impact of the management and use of public resources.
