Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 524811,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/524811/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 140,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mwaura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13129,
        "legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
        "slug": "isaac-mwaura"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, hon. Speaker. I rise to support this timely Bill, which seeks to entrench whatever is already provided for by the Constitution and strengthen the roles of the Auditor-General. In fact, a cursory look at the Bill, one would note that the drafters have gone ahead to not only elaborate the functions of the Auditor-General, but also provide for further functions that will enable his office to expedite its mandate. We, as Members of Parliament and Kenyans at large, are concerned about the increased wastage of public resources. In fact, if we were to have a Motion on the extent of corruption in Government Ministries, departments and other public agencies, it would be in-exhaustive because of the nature in which this is compromising service delivery. This Bill, therefore, will go a long way in delineating the mandate of the Auditor-General and his office and ensure that we strengthen this very critical arm in terms of accountability for public monies and having value for money for Kenyans. Hon. Speaker, if you look at the Bill, you will realise that there is a proposal for creation of the position of Senior Deputy Auditor-General, who is supposed to be the head of management and administration as well as the Accounting Officer of the Kenya National Audit Office (KENAO). While this is welcome, it is important that we look at Clause 15 and ensure that the holder of this office is recruited by the PSC rather than the way it is framed; where it is proposed that the person be recruited by the Office of the Auditor-General and appointed by the PSC. I find this an anomaly. Further, in terms of management, we have seen some friction in the independent offices. We have seen the case of the National Gender and Equality Commission and others, including the National Police Service Commission, with regard to the secretaries and chairs of such commissions. It is also important to ensure that we do not put some provisions in law that would be a matter of debate and confusion. When we expressly provide that the Senior Deputy Auditor-General shall be the one in charge of management and administration, I do not know where that leaves the Auditor-General himself. Is it that his role, for example, will only be to provide policy guidelines? It is important for the Auditor-General to have this role because somebody will be in charge of the day-to-day accountability of the organisation. As it may have been reported in the 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."
}