Newly sworn-in Auditor General Nancy Gathungu officially assumed her role on Thursday.
She takes over from Edward Ouko with the main focus being to clear the backlog of audit reports for various public institutions.
Gathungu who prides herself of being an insider during her predecessor's term said she has already established an in-house plan to clear and release pending audited reports for state entities before the year ends.
The office has been vacant for the last 11 months after Ouko’s eight year term expired in August last year.
There are no clear provisions for transition in the Public Audit unless the previous office holder dies, resigns, or is removed.
Ouko pointed out that this fault creates a void in the crucial office and does not guarantee a proper handover.
Seventeen 17 people were shortlisted for the job klast october but still the efforts to fill the office became controversial and marred with legal disputes. Former Auditor General Edward Ouko [p/courtesy]The 17 shortlisted candidates included 2 women and 15 men were among 70 applicants who were eying the chalenging job. Gathungu was shortlisted together with Idris Abdi Abdullahi, William Otieno Agunda, David Obwaya Gichana, Edwin Kipkoech Kamar and David Muchoki Kanja.
Dennis Theuri Kariuki, Sylvester Ngei Kiini , Dr Peter Kitonyo, Dr Lari Leonard Rang’ala, Elizabeth Wangui Mwathi , Francis Kigo Njenga and Meshack Obiero Onyango among others.
The government later re-advertised the position last december after the PSC selection panel failed to get suitable candidate from the 17 shortlisted.
Stephen Kirago. PSC Chairman said the decision was reached after far reaching consultations with the presidency.
Again in May this year, some 10 accountants were part of the list of candidates were seeking to succeed Ouko. They were chosen from 64 applicants who had forwarded their credentials Mutua Kilaka-led selection panel.
Gathungu was later nominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta in June to over the position.
State House spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo said Gathungu was the first among the top three names that were forwarded President Kenyatta for consideration by the Recruitment Panel.
Gathungu’s first major task will be to ensure the state’s audited report for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 fiscal years are released amidst concerns of bulging public wage bill.
She said reports are done and completed and only waiting for her signature before they are released to the public.