Nancy Gathungu Sworn-In as Kenya’s New Auditor-General

Nancy Gathungu has been sworn-in as Kenya’s New Auditor-General.

She took oath of office in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice David Maraga at Supreme Court buildings in Nairobi on Friday.

Gathungu, who previously served as the Director of Audit in the Office of the Auditor-General, takes over from Edward Ouko who retired in August 2019.

Speaking after she was sworn-in, Gathungu said her first task will be to clear audit backlog as soon as possible.

“Owing to the gap that existed between the expiry of Ouko and her recruitment, there has been a backlog of audit reports spanning a period of 11 months,” she said.

Gathungu stated that her tenure will be guided by four key pillars namely; independence, credibility, relevance and accountability.

On his part, CJ Maraga urged her to discharge her duties without fear or favor and warned her of the challenges that await her.

“Very often it is the case in leadership positions in this country that you will counter challenges. As it were, you will step on toes, some of them very thick, including even if it is that of the Chief Justice, but you are required to discharge your duty without fear or favor.”

“I want to assure you that as an institution, we will give you all the support you require. If there are areas where we will have to say that you have not done your work well we will say it,” Maraga said.

Her swearing-in follows vetting and approval by Parliament after her nomination by President Kenyatta last month.