NAIROBI, Kenya — Parliamentary leaders under the African Organization of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC) have renewed calls for stronger oversight institutions to enhance accountability and curb the misuse of public funds across the continent.
Speaking during a meeting with the AFROPAC leadership at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said the role played by Public Accounts Committees (PACs) in holding governments accountable for public expenditure remains critical in strengthening democratic governance.
“The role of the Public Accounts Committee in holding the Executive accountable for public spending cannot be overstated,” Wetang’ula said during the engagement.
He urged AFROPAC leaders to champion the strengthening of the Office of the Auditor General in their respective countries to improve efficiency, transparency, and oversight in public financial management.
According to the Speaker, strong and independent audit institutions are essential in supporting parliaments to detect financial irregularities, reduce wastage, and ensure prudent use of public resources.
Wetang’ula also stressed the importance of timely audits, noting that delayed financial reviews weaken oversight processes and undermine efforts to address development challenges effectively.
“Timely audits are critical in enabling Parliaments worldwide to address development imbalances more effectively,” he said.
AFROPAC is a continental platform that brings together Public Accounts Committees from African legislatures to strengthen parliamentary oversight, accountability, and transparency in governance.
The organisation has increasingly pushed for stronger collaboration between parliaments, audit institutions, and anti-corruption agencies amid growing concerns over public debt, corruption, and financial mismanagement in several African countries.
The visiting delegation was led by AFROPAC Chairperson Medard Lubega Ssegona from Uganda.
Other members included Deputy Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare and Ranking Member Samuel Atta Mills from Ghana, Secretary General Steven Baba Malondera from Malawi, and Deputy Secretary-General Tindi Mwale from Kenya, among other officials.
Kenya’s Public Accounts Committee plays a constitutional role in examining reports by the Auditor General and scrutinising how public institutions utilise government funds under Article 229 of the Constitution.
