Parliament has approved an Ad Hoc Committee report recommending the appointment of an independent auditor to scrutinise the financial records of the Office of the Auditor-General, in line with a constitutional requirement.
Parliament is expected to appoint an independent auditor to examine the accounts of the Office of the Auditor-General following the adoption of a report by an Ad Hoc Committee of the House.
The report was approved on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, during Parliament’s first sitting after the House resumed from recess.
The decision seeks to give effect to Article 187(15) of the 1992 Constitution, which provides that the accounts of the Auditor-General’s Office must be audited and reported upon by an auditor appointed by Parliament.
The constitutional provision states: “The accounts of the office of the Auditor-General shall be audited and reported upon by an auditor appointed by Parliament.”
The appointment is intended to ensure that the institution responsible for examining the financial activities of public institutions is itself subjected to independent financial scrutiny.
No auditor named yet
Although Parliament has approved the committee’s recommendation, no individual or auditing firm has been announced for the assignment.
The House is expected to proceed with the selection and appointment process in accordance with the constitutional provision.
The proposed exercise will involve an external auditor examining the financial records of the Auditor-General’s Office and submitting a report on its findings.
Previous concerns over appointment of auditors
The issue of who has the authority to appoint an auditor for the Auditor-General’s Office has previously generated debate.
In October 2020, the Audit Service Board engaged a private accounting firm to examine matters relating to foreign travel by then Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo and his deputies.
Mr Domelevo questioned the legality of the arrangement, arguing that Article 187(15) reserved the appointment of an auditor for the office to Parliament.
The matter highlighted the constitutional distinction between the oversight responsibilities of the Audit Service Board and Parliament’s specific authority to appoint an auditor for the Auditor-General’s accounts.
Strengthening institutional accountability
The latest parliamentary decision comes amid growing attention to public financial management and the work of the Auditor-General.
The office plays a central role in identifying financial irregularities, examining public expenditure and promoting accountability across government institutions.
The independent audit is expected to provide an additional layer of oversight and reinforce public confidence in the financial administration of the institution.
The appointment process is the next step following Parliament’s approval of the committee report.
