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{
    "id": 921829,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/921829/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 285,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. M. Kajwang’",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13162,
        "legal_name": "Moses Otieno Kajwang'",
        "slug": "moses-otieno-kajwang"
    },
    "content": "Again, during the session, the Committee considered a proposal by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) to strengthen the capacity of the Committee in carrying out proactive audits. The framework for the support is still morphing, and so far, WFD has helped in setting up contacts and a study tour of United Kingdom’s public finance oversight structures. For the months of July, August and September, the Committee has scheduled governors of 29 counties to appear before it. The Committee shall also undertake county visits within the same period. In the month of August, the Committee has convened the annual accountability forum that brings together chairpersons of public accounts committees drawn from the 47 counties. In conclusion, some of the challenges and recommendations are those that have been brought before the House previously include- (1) Backlog in the consideration of audit reports. (2) Inadequate capacity of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) at County Assemblies. (3) Heavy workload arising from the Committee’s mandate of considering the reports of the Auditor-General from all the county government entities. (4) The sessional nature of the Committee where valuable time is lost before the constitution of the Committee for a new session. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, some of the recommendations that the chairperson has previously discussed with the Senate Business Committee include: (5) Drawing from the oversight arrangements at the UK House of Commons; the Senate should establish the equivalent of a Financial Scrutiny Unit. I have previously called it a parliamentary audit office or it could an extension of the Parliamentary Budget office. (6) Considering that the term of the Auditor-General and Controller of Budget is coming to a close, Senate should make recommendations that it be included in the vetting of the new office bearers. I acknowledge that the vetting of these new office bearers is dictated by the Constitution, but drawing from the experience of the UK House of Commons, Parliament should consider establishing a joint committee for the vetting and oversight of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General because their work has serious implications on operations of counties. (7) There may be need for the Senate to consider adopting the African continent’s Association of Public Accounts Committees recommendations that encourages legislatures to consider longer lifespan for PACs to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that then is a report from the Public Accounts Committee."
}