Kenya’s Constitutional Committee Demands Full Disclosure of Public Debt and Audit Reforms
Nairobi, The Gulf Observer: The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) has issued a strong call for transparency and accountability in Kenya’s public finance management, demanding full disclosure of the country’s debt portfolio from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).
Appearing before the committee, Deputy Auditor General Isaac Kamau confirmed that the long-awaited Public Debt Report will be tabled in the first quarter of the next financial year.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi urged the Auditor General’s office to conduct a comprehensive audit of Kenya’s public debt, including an assessment of tax waivers issued by various government agencies.
“We need to see a full list of what we owe as a country,” Omondi stated, further calling for legislative proposals that would enhance fiscal discipline and strengthen oversight, especially for digital platforms such as eCitizen.
The Auditor General’s office also came under scrutiny for delays in audit reporting, which have a direct impact on the equitable allocation of revenue to counties as outlined in Article 229(8) of the Constitution.
Raising concerns over internal corruption, CIOC Vice Chairperson and Tiaty MP William Kamket questioned the integrity of audit processes, citing disturbing allegations that some public institutions budget for bribes to auditors.
“To what extent does corruption among your staff affect your credibility?” Kamket asked.
Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya echoed the concern, highlighting the absence of collaboration with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in some instances of potential misconduct.
“If accounting officers are budgeting for auditors without interaction with EACC, something is wrong. Where is the accountability?” Mulanya demanded.
In response, Kamau defended the Auditor General’s internal safeguards, emphasizing cooperation with the EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). He noted that staff are rotated every three years to mitigate undue familiarity, and all officers must sign a code of ethics prior to deployment.
Kamau also acknowledged challenges with audit turnaround times but committed to improving efficiency and relevance.
On the issue of public perception, Kamau said the OAG has made significant progress, claiming 92% accuracy in media reporting due to sustained engagement with journalists.
“Alarmist reporting has significantly declined,” he stated.
As Kenya continues to grapple with rising debt levels and increasing fiscal demands, the CIOC underscored the critical role of accurate, timely, and corruption-free auditing in maintaining public confidence and upholding constitutional principles.
The committee reaffirmed that transparency in financial reporting is not merely procedural, but a cornerstone of public accountability in a democratic society.
