A heated parliamentary session nearly took an unexpected turn when Auditor General Nancy Gathungu almost walked out after Senators Edwin Sifuna and Moses Kajwang’ confronted her over a KSh 104 billion scandal. The session, held to scrutinize government expenditure, quickly escalated as the senators pressed Gathungu for answers regarding the massive financial irregularities flagged in her audit reports.
Sifuna, known for his tough stance on accountability, questioned the Auditor General on why her office had not provided clear recommendations regarding the missing funds. He accused her of being too lenient on government institutions involved in the mismanagement of public funds. Kajwang’ echoed these concerns, demanding a more assertive approach in holding those responsible accountable.
Gathungu, appearing visibly frustrated, defended her office, insisting that her role was to audit and report, not to prosecute or enforce compliance. She emphasized that it was up to other government agencies, such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to act on the findings. However, the persistent grilling from the senators appeared to push her patience to the limit.
At one point, tensions peaked, and she seemed on the verge of walking out before regaining composure. The exchange highlighted the growing frustration among lawmakers over increasing financial scandals and the perceived lack of accountability in handling taxpayers’ money.
With billions unaccounted for, the debate over financial oversight continues to raise concerns, with Kenyans demanding concrete action. The pressure is now on investigative agencies to follow up on the Auditor General’s report and ensure those responsible face justice.
By Kenyans