Outgoing Auditor General, Edward Ouko, revealed that he was frustrated at work by higher powers within the Executive and thus wanted President Uhuru Kenyatta's, and any other future president's, powers cut.
According to Ouko, the constitution should be amended to create the position of a head of state who is separate from the head of government as reported by Nation.
The head of state will then work independently and will help protect the auditor general's office from the wrath of a sovereign president
"Under the current system, the auditor is up against the president and his ministers. If the president is protective of his ministers, then the audit is watered down,” Ouko stated at a public lecture in Nairobi, on Tuesday, August 28, 2019.
He further revealed that his work was tumultuous and at one point, his wife feared for his life.
"My wife told me that I have to careful", Ouko narrated.
While reflecting on his eight-year tenure, the outgoing auditor recommended that the office of the Auditor General should be allowed to give a report on how the government utilised resources of the previous year, before Treasury reads its annual budget in Parliament.
Despite being praised for a commendable performance in terms of pointing out shortcomings of the government’s financial accountability and exposing corruption, a good number of Ouko's audit reports were, however, never acted upon by investigative agencies.
On Wednesday, August 27, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared a vacancy in the office of the Auditor-General.
To qualify for the job, one has to have 10 years experience in public finance management or auditing.
