National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has strongly denied allegations that he sponsored a bill aimed at removing the Auditor General from heading the National Audit Office.
In a statement, Ichung’wah dismissed the accusations, calling them baseless propaganda designed to mislead the public. He accused his critics of distorting the contents of the bill he presented in Parliament, saying they had misrepresented its true intent.
He urged anyone with doubts about the bill to visit the National Assembly website and read it for themselves instead of relying on misinformation.
Ichung’wah also emphasized that removing the Auditor General as the head of the National Audit Office would go against the Constitution. He accused his opponents of fabricating claims to mislead the public.
“The masters of propaganda have created a fictional bill concerning the Auditor General’s office, filled with imaginary provisions that exist only in their minds,” Ichung’wah stated.
“Anyone who wants the truth should read the bill and the committee’s report available on the Parliament website. Only those who blindly believe falsehoods would think such unconstitutional changes could be made. For accurate information on all bills before Parliament, visit the official Parliamentary website and ignore misleading propaganda,” he added.
What the Public Audit Amendment Bill 2024 Proposes
Ichung’wah’s Public Audit Amendment Bill 2024 has sparked a public outcry, especially on social media, with many Kenyans criticizing the Majority Leader over what they perceive as unconstitutional proposals.
The bill proposes giving more powers to the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, making him the custodian of the Public Seal and other key state instruments not assigned to other officials.
Critics argue that if Parliament approves the bill, it could weaken the Auditor General’s office and limit its ability to function independently. They warn that such changes could undermine efforts to combat the misuse of public funds.
A deeper analysis of the bill, however, reveals that it seeks to restructure the operations of the Office of the Auditor General by introducing new clauses. These include eliminating certain offices while creating new ones.
One of the proposed changes involves requiring the Office of the Auditor General to consult the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regarding salaries and benefits for its staff.
Additionally, the bill aims to abolish the position of Senior Deputy Auditor General and replace it with a Deputy Auditor General. Unlike the current system, where appointments involve external processes, the bill proposes that the Auditor General be solely responsible for recruiting the new Deputy Auditor General.
While Ichung’wah insists that his bill does not target the Auditor General’s role, critics remain skeptical, arguing that the proposed amendments could weaken financial oversight and accountability in public institutions.
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