Accountability of public funds is a key plank of democracy. Taxes, state borrowing and service fee at the national and county level nourish the pot.
To ensure that such funds are properly used and accounted for, Parliament set up an independent Office of the Auditor General.
The office holder enjoys security of tenure to insulate them from interference from the Executive.
The mission and vision of the Auditor General’s office is to promote accountability, transparency and integrity in the use of public resources.
Audits are undertaken primarily to monitor and evaluate how those tasked with the use of public resources undertake the responsibility.
The auditor holds those in authority accountable on the use of taxpayers’ money. The office has in recent years done a commendable job in shining the spotlight on various public institutions.
Unfortunately, the audits have become a ritual as institutions charged with executing the auditor’s findings do little to addresses the concerns.
One of its latest audits shows that emergency funds totalling Sh1 billion cannot be accounted for.
There are no documents to back the spending. Without implementing the audit reports, little will be achieved in the transparent use of public resources.
HISTORICAL QUOTE
“Nothing is more intolerable than to have
admit to yourself your own errors.”
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
The German composer and pianist was born December
16, 1770
