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{
    "id": 524812,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/524812/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 141,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Mwaura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13129,
        "legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
        "slug": "isaac-mwaura"
    },
    "content": "past, indeed, there have been questions that were asked about the procurement of software at the Office of the Auditor General – a matter which was not fully concluded. It is, therefore, important to have somebody who will answer to questions of audit within the KENAO. Hon. Speaker, one of the things that this Bill speaks on is the fact that the Auditor-General is given powers to establish offices across the country, wherever he may deem fit. However, one of the challenges that come from this Bill is in terms of how the Office of the Auditor-General will be allocated money. There have been concerns because the National Treasury is supposed to allocate resources. Of course, that is the rightful role of the National Treasury. However, being one of the clients and in fact subjects of KENAO, it is important that we establish a procedure where there is a tripartite consensus among the Auditor-General’s Office, the National Treasury and the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly to ensure that KENAO is not denied resources that would be very important in terms of expediting its mandate. There is also the question of timely disbursements. Audits have been one of the greatest bottlenecks even in the determination of the Division of Revenue Bill. It is important to ensure that such monies allocated to that office are disbursed from the Exchequer in good time. There has also been concern about auditing at the county-level. It is important that through this Bill, we strengthen KENAO not only for the purpose of generation of reports and accessing of bank accounts, as has been proposed in this legislation, but also for ensuring that the Auditor-General’s Office assists the county governments in establishing proper systems and structures. There is a lot of wastage of resources at the county-level. Most hon. Members will attest to the fact that a lot of money is being spent in ways we do not expect. The Auditor-General’s Office should also ensure that there is timely procurement of goods and services through the establishment of proper procurement plans and also the adherence of management letters that they derive from time to time. This Bill also recognises the need for securing the tenure of the Auditor- General. There has been a mission on the Floor of the House to reduce the tenure of the Auditor- General from eight to six years. Personally, I beg to differ because, previously, holders of the Office of the Controller and Auditor-General used to last in office forever. Therefore, eight years is a good period of time for one to set up systems and structures. Eight years is also good because it almost compares with parliamentary terms. It does not make economic sense for us to effect constitutional amendments to provide for a difference of just two years."
}