Even as Auditor General Edward Ouko’s 8-year tenure comes to an end today, his successes at one of the country’s hot seats have kept many Kenyans hailing praises on him for his competent services during his term in the office.
Ouko who was appointed the Auditor-General on 27 August 2011 will be leaving office with his head held high especially after achieving what most Kenyans say it would have been difficult for anyone else in the same office.
Without him, most Kenyans would have never known about the Eurobond, NYS, Afia, NHIF & many other scandals which he exposed. His recent uncoverings on possible embezzlement of Ksh4 billion relief fund in the financial year 2017/2018 by the treasury led to the arrest and suspension of former treasury CS Henry Rotich.
But even as the Auditor General clears his desk, he points out that the country’s accountability system is in shambles with the legislature keen on being allocated resources while frowning on the process of being accounted.
According to Ouko, one of his lowest days was when there was a petition to remove me from office by parliament. “I was disappointed by how it was handled. I want to take time to reorganize myself and thereafter think where to go,” said Auko in an interview with a local Tv station.
Despite the challenges, Kenyans took to their social media sites to congratulate Auko for his excellent service with others calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta to appoint him as the acting Treasury CS since he has adequate knowledge on the same.
Here are some of the congratulatory comments from Facebook and Twitter;
Edward Ouko has exited the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) loaded with a lifetime respect from Kenyans. Not only did he demonstrate Integrity but Independence of the Office.
— James Mutinda (@JMutinda_snr) August 26, 2019
We shall surely miss the retired Auditor General @OAG_Kenya, he’s Kenya’s unsung hero that truly served Kenyans even when we dragged him in ridicule. Hats off for Edward Ouko
— Ken Otwenyo (@Kotwenyo) August 25, 2019
Edward Ouko's 8 year tenure as Auditor General comes to an end today. Without him we'd never have known about EuroBond, NYS, Afia, NHIF & many other scandals, he sadly now leaves without much fanfare; not even a trend on Twitter. #ThankYouOuko
— Mwangi Munga (@MwangiJMK) August 26, 2019
Moscent Kachenja Namussasi Edward Ouko’s term as Auditor General comes to an end today with President Kenyatta at odds to identify a replacement who will directly wear the gigantic shoes of the hawk eyed finance limiter.
Edward Ouko exits office today, after serving as Auditor General for 8 years, with his head held high.
He has proven to be the BEST Auditor General, Kenya has ever had since indipendence. pic.twitter.com/7nN3Pi4qLt— Chris Adede🇰🇪 (@CAdede) August 27, 2019
Edward Ouko left his 10m pm salary to 2m pm salary as Auditor General.. an 80% decrease. He's someone who was difficult to bribe and didn't show any interest on either side of politics. He served his office diligently and I can say God has been with him.
— Stephen Oluoch, BSc (@steveoluoch77) August 27, 2019
Adios, Auditor General Edward Ouko.
You showed us all what integrity truly meant. pic.twitter.com/BcnPHCRfg2
— Sura Mbaya (@surambaya) August 24, 2019
If you admire how Matiang'i and Magoha go about their work, you were not raised right. If, on the other hand you wish Edward Ouko's tenure as Auditor General could be extended, you are a model Citizen whose civic… https://t.co/U4uwHErGJ9
— Onyinkwa Onyakundi (@OOnyakundi) August 26, 2019