Moses Kuria Explains Why Auditor-General Should not Audit KDF Expenditure

Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria has warned the Auditor General Edward Ouko from agreeing to the invitation by the High Court to audit expenditure of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Through a post on his Facebook page, Kuria advised Mr Ouko against interfering with the disciplined forces claiming that it will create a conducive environment for a coup attempt.

"Judiciary has ruled that Auditor General can audit confidential military and security matters. This is against traditions in all jurisdictions. Yet another invitation to interfere with our disciplined forces and create a conducive environment for a coup attempt, " Kuria noted.

[caption caption="File image of Auditor General Edward Ouko"][/caption]

The outspoken lawmaker also instructed the Auditor General to decline the invitation to scrutinize the cash books of the military. 

This comes after the High Court on Friday granted Mr Ouko powers to check the expenditure of the military forces.

Furthermore, the Court declared nine sections of 2015 Public Audit Act that prohibited the auditing of military expenditure record unconstitutional.

According to the ruling delivered by Justice Chacha Mwita, Section 40 of Public Audit Act  required the Auditor-General “to hold an inception meeting at the highest level to agree on areas on national security and determine the appropriate audit approach to ensure confidentiality of information."

The Act further required that the Auditor-General be vetted with a possibility of the auditorial reports being redacted by the security organs in order to conceal the people's identities and to avoid revealing assets and liabilities.

In making the ruling, Justice Chacha emphasized on the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General, an establishment of the Constitution.

He concluded that the highlighted sections were curtailing the powers of the auditing office although they were supposed to enhance his authority as an oversight over public expenditure.

[caption caption="File image of Kenya Defence Forces"][/caption]