PSC Chairperson Stephen Kirogo (pictured) told a media briefing the position will be re-advertised adding the commission was committed to ensure the office is held by a person of great character that the public will be proud of/CFM – Sam Wanjohi
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 11 – The selection process for the Auditor General is set to be advertised afresh after seventeen shortlisted candidates failed to reach the threshold for the final shortlist for appointment, Public Service Commission (PSC) announced Wednesday.
PSC Chairperson Stephen Kirogo told a media briefing the position will be re-advertised adding the commission was committed to ensure the office is held by a person of great character that the public will be proud of.
“Consultations were made and the position as of now is that the position will be re-advertised so that more Kenyans can offer themselves for appointment as the next auditor general. That being the case the steps as provided for by the law will apply,” he said.
Kirogo further stated that considering the important role that the Office of the Auditor General plays in country’s public finance management, the government is committed to fast track the recruitment process until substantive holder of the office is appointed.
“The panel is aware of the person that the office deserves, and we do not want to just fill the position, but we want to ensure that the person that will be nominated possesses the character, personality and the independence required to hold public institutions to account,” Kirogo added.
Sammy Onyango, the chairperson of the selection panel said none of the fifteen men and two women shortlisted met the developed criteria for listing in the final list for presidential consideration.
“We had an interview criteria so the shortlisting looks at technical qualifications and the interview digs deeper to look into the person who have the character to uphold the independence of the office and must also possess the diplomacy and tact to handle the relationship with the three arms of the government. Unfortunately, we did not find such a person,” Onyango said.
Onyango and his six panel members committed to an impartial process when they took oath at a ceremony convened at Public Service Commission headquarters in Nairobi on October 1.
Sammy Onyango (pictured), the chairperson of the selection panel said none of the fifteen men and two women shortlisted met the developed criteria for listing in the final list for presidential consideration/CFM – Sam Wanjohi
“The people that we will put forward to the President must have not only the technical competency but also leadership skills that will help not only the executive to fight corruption but also people who can make recommendations to the country on how the vice can be eliminated,” Onyango said.
Other members of the selection panel include Bernard Ndungu from the Ministry of Finance, Kennedy Ogeto from the Office of the Attorney General, Titus Ndambuki -Ministry of Public Service, Rose Mwaura (Institute of Public Accounts of Kenya), Loise Ruhiu (Association of Professional Societies of East Africa) and Masinde Brenda (Law Society of Kenya).
Potential applicants have now been given 14 days to apply for the position and they should send their applications by December 30.
If the current selection panel will be disbanded, then a new selection panel will be appointed not later than 14 days after the closure of the application window.
PSC has projected that as they ensure the process of appointing the next auditor general is followed to the latter, the office will be occupied within the first week of April 2020.
The seat fell vacant in August after the former Auditor General Edward Ouko’s tenure came to an end having served for 8 years.
The seat fell vacant in August after the former Auditor General Edward Ouko’s tenure came to an end having served for 8 years.
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