Delay in picking Auditor General paralyses services

Operations in the office of the auditor (OAG) general have been brought to a halt due to the absence of a substantive AG, Parliament heard yesterday.

Following the expiry of the term of the former office holder Edward Ouko on August 27, a new appointment is yet to be made thus delaying the release of crucial public entities’ financial reports which can only be signed by the AG.

Deputy auditor general in charge of corporate affairs Joyce Mbaabu told legislators that public entity reports, include those from the Central Bank of Kenya, Capital Markets Authority, Ethics and Anti Corruption, Kenya Power, KenGen Plc and East African Portland Cement PLC, ought to have been signed by September 30. 

The delay in signing has also meant that the entities cannot release their financials to the public. Investors in Kenya Power and KenGen counters are also faced with prospects of shrinking portfolios due to delayed earnings call by the two counters.

Key decisions

Appearing before the Public Investments Committee, chaired by Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Mohamed, she said those in the office lacked authority to incur expenditure or make key decisions.

MPs, who blamed the Attorney General and Treasury Cabinet Secretary for delays in the appointment of an auditor general, said they would push the government to appoint one without delay.