This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
Published on July 11, 2019, by Michael Kuria, a specialist in preventing and disrupting complex financial crimes.
The Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) was created by Kenya's new Constitution to ensure the effective use of public funds. The OAG's primary responsibility is to determine whether public funds are used lawfully and effectively.
Edward Ouko, the Auditor-General from 2011 to 2019, has been a trailblazer in his role. He has produced detailed reports that map out theft and wastage of public funds, often facing opposition and criticism. Despite these challenges, Ouko has remained committed to his mandate.
However, the OAG's openness and transparency have come at a cost. The reports are often complex and difficult for the general public to understand, leading to sensationalism and political pressure. The media often misinterprets the findings, leading to demands for arrests and prosecutions.
One of the most common misinterpretations is the term 'unsupported expenditure.' This does not necessarily mean that funds have been stolen, but rather that the documents required to prove the expenditure were not provided to the auditor within the deadline.
Another common finding is 'goods paid for and not delivered.' This does not mean that the money was stolen, but rather that the filing or inventory tracking systems had failed.
As Ouko's successor takes over, it is essential to adopt a communication strategy that protects the audit reports from easy sensationalism. Closer collaboration with the media could help to avoid this and ensure that the public understands the true meaning of the audit findings.
