NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s Parliament is cranking up the heat on the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), demanding transparency over the country’s ballooning public debt, overdue audit reports, and internal corruption safeguards.
With audit backlogs and fiscal uncertainty making headlines, Members of Parliament say it’s time to clean house — and show receipts.
Two Years Behind and Counting
The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) on Thursday grilled Deputy Auditor General Isaac Kamau, frustrated by what they say is an audit trail gone cold.
Article 229(8) of Kenya’s Constitution mandates timely auditing of public funds, especially for counties — yet MPs say reports are lagging by up to two years.
“We are behind. Counties are missing out on crucial revenue because we’re flying blind,” said MP Caroli Omondi, who urged the OAG to release a comprehensive public debt audit, including an itemized list of national liabilities and tax waivers granted by government bodies.
Omondi didn’t stop there. He called on the OAG to table legislative proposals to improve compliance and fiscal discipline, particularly in tracking digital revenue platforms like eCitizen. “We can’t govern what we can’t see,” he added.
Bribes in the Budget?
But transparency isn’t just about paperwork — it’s also about integrity. CIOC Vice Chair William Kamket raised eyebrows when he referenced reports that some institutions allegedly budget for bribes to auditors.
“To what extent does corruption in your own ranks affect your credibility?” Kamket asked, a question that drew nods across the room.
MP Geoffrey Mulanya piled on, questioning why the OAG isn’t better synced with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). “If accounting officers are budgeting for auditors without involving the EACC, then where is the accountability?” he asked.
Kamau defended his office, saying they’ve implemented internal guardrails: staff rotations every three years, a mandatory code of ethics, and thorough post-audit reviews.
He also pointed to joint efforts with the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), arguing, “We’re not asleep at the wheel.”
Trust, Turnaround, and the Media
When it comes to public trust, timing is everything — and Kamau admits the OAG has work to do. Turnaround time on audit reports remains a challenge, even as the office tries to boost its visibility and credibility.
“Our Public Debt Report will be tabled in the first quarter of the next financial year,” Kamau said, adding that the OAG has improved media relations significantly. “We now enjoy 92pc accuracy in media coverage. The days of alarmist headlines are over.”
Still, MPs weren’t fully convinced. MP Gitonga asked the question lingering on many Kenyans’ minds: “How do you measure your own performance? Because transparency starts at your doorstep.”
Kamau said reforms are ongoing and promised improvements in audit timelines, relevance, and responsiveness — especially as the country faces increased public scrutiny over financial governance.
As Kenya grapples with growing debt and fiscal mistrust, Parliament is turning the spotlight inward — demanding not just audits, but accountability.
With MPs pushing for a full audit of public debt, clearer reporting timelines, and ironclad anti-corruption controls, the message to the OAG is simple: transparency isn’t optional, it’s constitutional.
