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{
"id": 1464457,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1464457/?format=api",
"text_counter": 338,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Dagoretti South, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. John Kiarie",
"speaker": null,
"content": "If it is so, as it has been reported by Dr Oundo, the process of procurement is becoming either inefficient or not delivering the right people. At this point, the House must say that the process of procurement of an external auditor for the Office of the Auditor-General needs to be re-checked. The issues that have been raised here are critical. It cannot be coincidence or by design that the people who are up against PKF found themselves into some technical issues which even border on integrity matters. The presentation of fake certificates before a vetting entity for an auditor should be a matter that raises the eyebrows of this House. As it has been said, this auditor is required to audit the auditor who audits other auditors who audit the books in this Republic to ensure that there is prudent use of public finances in this country. If there is a blemish on the process which was undertaken, then we know that the product is only as good as the process. So, if the matter of procurement is brought to disrepute, then even the working of that entity shall be brought to disrepute. However, if the Committee is satisfied that M/s PKF Kenya LLP, according to the laws and the Constitution of this country should be the audit firm auditing the Auditor- General's Office, then so be it. As per the Report presented, the Committee is satisfied. We have no other reason not to be satisfied. Now, when we task them to do the job, we pray that the audits that they are going to conduct shall be independent, and more so audit that can stand up to international auditing standards. If they could observe this, then we shall see a number of things. I do not want to pre- empt their work, however, if they apply themselves properly on this job, I am sure that in their findings, they shall find that the Office of the Auditor-General, as currently constituted, is not able to undertake all the work that it is tasked to do. This is an office that is central here in Nairobi and is required not only to audit national books, but also to audit the county governments, and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). They are the same people who audit the NG-CDF. As it is currently constituted, I can feel the strain that is in this office. So, if these auditors are going to do their work right, they shall audit and they shall find that, as currently constituted, the Office of the Auditor-General is inefficiently composed to undertake the job that it is required to do. If it applies itself to this work, it is required, as Dr Oundo said earlier, to go beyond just auditing the numbers, the bottom lines and balancing out the books. An audit today requires for a systems audit. I dare say, it also requires a welfare audit; the auditing of the welfare and the terms of individuals working in this office. Hon. Temporary Speaker, on one occasion, I happened to sit next to the former Auditor- General, a very esteemed Kenyan, Mr Edward Ouko, on a flight from Mombasa to Nairobi. I was shocked with what I heard. I came to learn that anybody serving in the Office of the Auditor-General enjoys no perks and no other terms after their retirement. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}