This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has re-opened the search for a new Auditor-General, a move that comes after the initial recruitment process failed to produce a suitable candidate.
According to a recent advertisement, persons interested in the position have two weeks to send in their applications, with the deadline set for December 30.
The move is a clear indication of the government's urgency to fill the position, which has been vacant since former Auditor-General Edward Ouko's term expired in August.
The Public Service Commission (PSC) had earlier shortlisted 17 candidates, but none met the threshold to replace Ouko.
Among those who made the shortlist were nine employees at the Auditor-General's office, including deputy Auditors-General David Gichana and Alex Rugera.
The position of Auditor-General is one of the most independent in the government, with legal insulation from interference from any arm of the government.
The office is responsible for auditing the financial statements of State corporations, including the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company.
However, the lack of a substantive State audit head has complicated the financial reporting of these corporations, with some unable to submit their audited books of accounts to Parliament.
According to acting Treasury Secretary Ukur Yatani, the vacancy in the National Audit Office was cited as the reason for the Central Bank's failure to submit certified financial statements for 2018/19.
