Former Director of the Office of Internal Audit and Inspection (OIA) at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Nancy Onyango will head the newly appointed presidential task force on forensic audit of public debt.
The President made the appointment of the team through a Kenya Gazette Notice on July 5, 2024 moments after addressing the nation from State House where he announced enhanced austerity measures following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
The independent task force which has representatives from ICPAK, LSK and the Institute of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) will carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of our public debt and report within three months.
Onyango will be deputized by Prof. Luis G. Franceschi. Other members are LSK President Faith Odhiambo, ICPAK chairperson Phillip Kaikai, Institution of Engineers of Kenya president Shammah Kiteme and Policy & Governance Specialist Vincent Kimosop.
The Secretariat of the Taskforce shall be based at the National Treasury and Economic Planning. Abraham Rugo and Aaron Thegeya have been named joint secretaries.
“The Taskforce will serve for three (3) months with effect from the date hereof, or for such longer period as may be specified by Notice in the Gazette,” said the President in the notice.
Earlier, the President at State House said the audit will provide the people of Kenya with clarity on the extent and nature of the debt, how public resources were expended, and will recommend proposals for managing our public debt in a manner that is sustainable and with intergenerational equity.
He said public debt is and continues to be a major concern in Kenya, hence the need for Kenyans to be informed on the extent and nature of the debt, and how public resources were expended.
“Despite all this, as a nation, we are finally having the right conversation, not about our tribes, or personalities, or political formations, but rather issues that affect each and every one of us: issues such as taxation, debt, the budget, corruption, the cost of living, unemployment, and opportunities for our young people,” he said.
“This audit will provide the people of Kenya with clarity on the extent and nature of the debt, how public resources were expended and will recommend proposals for managing our public debt in a manner that is sustainable and with intergenerational equity” he stated.
He further committed to continuously and effectively listen to Kenyans for better governance.
“I make this statement to highlight the actions taken in response to overwhelming public feedback in recent days, to fulfill my commitment to continuously and effectively listen to the people of Kenya, and to underscore my intention to always take public contributions in good faith, applying them to enrich policymaking and governance” he reiterated.
