National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the World Bank to extend both technical and financial assistance to Kenya’s Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to boost its ability to audit public institutions effectively.
Speaking during a meeting with a joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation at Parliament Buildings, Wetang’ula noted that the OAG’s operations are hampered by limited funding and inadequate staffing, forcing the office to hire external auditors to meet its constitutional obligations.
“The Auditor-General has highlighted that her office sometimes needs to hire external auditors to assist in auditing public institutions to meet its obligations,” Wetang’ula said.
He emphasized that strengthening the OAG would enhance Parliament’s oversight function, as audit reports form the foundation of legislative scrutiny over public spending. Wetang’ula stressed that sufficient support for the OAG would help ensure the prudent use of public funds and reinforce accountability.
The Speaker further recommended extending similar support to other governance institutions such as the Office of the Attorney-General, the Judiciary, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to intensify the fight against corruption.
Wetang’ula reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to passing laws aimed at expediting corruption and economic crime cases, warning that prolonged litigation weakens anti-graft efforts.
The World Bank delegation, led by Qimiao Fan, praised Parliament’s role in ensuring transparency and urged it to continue promoting efficient use of public and donor-funded resources. Fan also highlighted youth unemployment as a growing challenge, revealing that the World Bank has committed Sh51 billion to county projects to support inclusive growth and local economic empowerment.
Wetang’ula concluded by assuring the World Bank and IMF of Parliament’s full cooperation in advancing good governance and institutional reform initiatives.
