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"id": 927309,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Funyula, ODM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo",
"speaker": {
"id": 13331,
"legal_name": "Wilberforce Ojiambo Oundo",
"slug": "wilberforce-ojiambo-oundo-2"
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"content": "auditing is part of the control measures used in management science to ensure that planned activities are executed as intended. I take this opportunity to hope that the lapse of time since 2014 will not be a problem to the appointed auditor because over time data and information is lost, memory lapses and indeed the accuracy and veracity of the information is doubtful. I know the accounting profession requires that all auditing materials or books of account must be preserved for seven years. But, obviously, with time even pertinent and simple straight forward questions have become difficult to answer because a human mind can only remember so much. I urge Parliament that in the past it has taken long to procure an audit firm to undertake the audit of the office of the Auditor- General. Going forward we should not have this lapse. We should timelessly and as soon as practically possible, within the shortest time possible at the end of the financial year, audit the accounts of the Auditor-General. This will enable us to have up to date information concerning the utilisation of funds which the National Assembly appropriates to that Office. As you are aware, the term of the current Auditor-General, Dr. Ouko comes to an end probably by the end of August. It would have been good if as he exits the audited accounts for the Financial Year 2017/18 are also undertaken. This will ensure that as we discharge, praise and congratulate him for the good work he has done we do so without any further audit queries and reference to him. But be it as it may, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate him and wish that whoever takes over from him will have the courage and temerity to withstand the pressure and generally offer sound and professional opinion on the utilisation of public funds. I think this country has been bedeviled with high cases of misuse of public funds. The delay in auditing the books for various Government ministries generally gives a chance to the so- called corrupt people and those without good manners to manipulate books of account and probably conceal evidence of corruption. I urge the Office of the Auditor-General to undertake audits as soon as it is practically possible so that the culprits or those involved in corrupt dealings are brought to book as soon as possible. We are aware that the amount of funds lost through corrupt means both at the national and county levels is very tremendous such that even if we were able to seal the loopholes by mere 50 per cent, we could raise enough funds to undertake more urgent and pressing needs of this nation, for example, cancer treatment, diagnosis and research or issues of infrastructure, education, security and the rest. I urge the Office of the Auditor-General to do its work professionally and flag out misuse of public funds. But as it does that, it should give us information or evidence that is prosecutable. Many a times the Auditor-General makes sweeping statements merely because they were not given some documents. They make adverse comments on audits and it becomes difficult to prosecute. As I conclude, in as much as we are focusing more in the national Government, most corruption is at the county level. So, I urge the Auditor-General to devolve the auditing function to as many counties as possible and keep watch together with the office of the Controller of Budget so that we prevent further theft of Government funds. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}