NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 6 – President Mwai Kibaki has appointed Anthony Gatumbu as Controller and Auditor General, Kenya National Audit Office (KENAO).
In a Gazette Notice released on Friday, Mr Gatumbu takes over from Pricilla Njeri who has been retired. “The appointment takes effect from January 28,” the notice said.
Prior to his appointment Mr Gatumbu was the Deputy Auditor and Controller General, serving under Ms Njeri who took the helm in 2006.
KENAO is mandated to audit all Government Ministries and Departments, Local Authorities and State Corporations. The office also audits the Judiciary and the National Assembly and is expected to compile annual reports.
“ The Controller and Auditor-General and any officer authorised by him shall have access to all books, records, returns, reports and other documents which in his opinion relate to any of the accounts,” chapter 105 of the Constitution which defines the duties of the Auditor General states.
The Finance Minister is required by law to submit the reports of the Auditor General to Parliament within seven days of receipt.
KENAO was established by the public Audit Act 2003 which became effective on January 9, 2004 as a more independent Office of the Controller and Auditor General.
Originally the Office was referred to as the Exchequer & Audit Department which with time changed to the Office of the Controller and Auditor-General. During this period, the Office derived its mandate from the Exchequer and Audit Act Cap 412 which only provided for the audit of the Central Government by the Controller and Auditor General. Later the Act was amended to provide for audit of Local Authorities and State Corporations.
The Act further established the Kenya National Audit Commission which amongst other duties approves the budget of KENAO and determines the remuneration and other terms of appointment of staff of KENAO.
KENAC is composed of the Controller and Auditor General as Chairman and the Chairmen of the Public Accounts and Public Investments Committees of the National Assembly. Other members are the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, the Attorney General or his nominee and a Practicing member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya co-opted by the other members of the Commission.
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