National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has strongly denied allegations that he sponsored a bill aimed at removing the Auditor General as the head of the National Audit Office.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Ichung’wah dismissed these claims as baseless propaganda, accusing his critics of deliberately misinterpreting the contents of the bill he presented in Parliament.
“The propaganda lords have crafted their own nonexistent bill about the Office of the Auditor General, filled with provisions that exist only in their imaginations,” Ichung’wah stated in a post on X.
He urged those questioning the bill to read its actual contents, along with the committee’s report, both of which are publicly available on the parliamentary website. He emphasized the importance of verifying facts rather than relying on misinformation.
“For a factual view of all bills before Parliament, just visit the Parliamentary website and ignore the propaganda,” he added.
Ichung’wah also clarified that any attempt to remove the Auditor General as the head of the National Audit Office would be unconstitutional.
His proposed legislation, the Public Audit Amendment Bill 2024, seeks to introduce several changes, including granting more powers to the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei.
Weakening auditor general
However, the bill has faced heavy criticism, particularly on social media, where many Kenyans have expressed concerns that it could weaken the role of the Auditor General.
Critics argue that if passed, the bill could limit the Auditor General’s ability to conduct independent audits, ultimately undermining efforts to fight the misappropriation of public funds.
Additionally, opponents warn that the bill could reverse progress made in promoting financial accountability in government institutions.
A closer examination of the bill, however, reveals that it introduces a clause requiring consultation with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regarding salaries and benefits for staff in the Office of the Auditor General.
It also proposes the abolition of the office of the Senior Deputy Auditor General and its replacement with a Deputy Auditor General, who would be appointed by the Auditor General.
Despite the backlash, Ichung’wah maintains that the bill is being misrepresented and has urged the public to seek accurate information before forming opinions.
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