Members of Parliament have raised the alarm over Kenya’s rising debt, demanding full disclosure and transparency from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG). The Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) pressed the OAG to provide a complete audit of the country’s public debt and all tax waivers issued by government agencies.
During a committee session, Suba South MP Caroli Omondi emphasized the urgent need for accountability, stating, “We need to see a full list of what we owe as a country.” He urged the Auditor General to go further and submit legislative proposals that promote fiscal discipline and strengthen monitoring, particularly of digital revenue platforms such as eCitizen.
Deputy Auditor General Isaac Kamau, who appeared before the committee, confirmed that the Public Debt Report will be tabled in the first quarter of the next financial year. However, MPs also criticised delays in audit reporting, which affect revenue allocation to counties under Article 229(8) of the Constitution.
Concerns about internal corruption within the Auditor General’s office were also raised. Tiaty MP William Kamket highlighted disturbing allegations that some public institutions budget for bribes to auditors. “That’s disturbing. To what extent does corruption among your staff affect your credibility?” he questioned.
Nambale MP Geoffrey Mulanya echoed the concern, pointing to the lack of coordination with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) as a red flag for accountability lapses.
In response, Kamau outlined internal integrity safeguards including staff rotation every three years, mandatory signing of a code of ethics, and collaboration with EACC and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). “We also conduct post-assignment reviews,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenge of delayed audit turnaround times but pledged improvements to enhance audit relevance and timeliness. Kamau also noted progress in managing public communication, citing a 92% accuracy rate in media reporting and a decline in alarmist coverage due to proactive engagement with journalists.
As Kenya grapples with economic strain, MPs insist that transparent and timely audits are not only a constitutional requirement but also essential to maintaining public trust and promoting responsible governance.
