This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
New Auditor-General Pledges to Clear Office Backlog ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta's nomination of Nancy Gathungu as the new Auditor-General on June 19, 2020, marked the end of a long wait to replace her predecessor Edward Ouko, whose term ended in August 2019 after eight years at the helm.
During her swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court on July 17, 2020, Gathungu noted that there was much to be done in terms of audit backlog, which she vowed to clear as a first priority.
"Owing to the gap that existed between Ouko's exit and my assuming of office, I strive to clear the audit backlog as soon as possible so that entities can call their annual general meetings, development partners can get feedback on the spending of projects they support and for Kenyans to know how their resources are managed," she said.
Gathungu, who served as the director of audit at Ouko's office, hailed her former boss, saying he left behind a rich legacy which she would strive to build on the office's independence, credibility, relevance, and accountability.
Chief Justice David Maraga, who presided over the ceremony, urged the new auditor-general to remain firm and independent, warning of external influence.
Edward Ouko, the outgoing auditor-general, exposed several graft scandals and brought to light wastage of public resources during his tenure. He faced numerous hurdles in his line of duty, including threats to his life and intimidation from the government and MPs.
