Treasury extends Pending Bills Committee term, names Ouko Anti-Money Laundering Board chair

Treasury extends Pending Bills Committee term, names Ouko Anti-Money Laundering Board chair

Edward Ouko, a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, previously served as Auditor General, where he was widely recognised for promoting accountability and transparency in public finance.

The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, has extended the term of the Pending Bills Verification Committee to continue its work on scrutinising and validating outstanding government payments.

The extension, effective from April 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025, aims to ensure a thorough analysis of pending bills accumulated between June 2005 and June 2022 and provide recommendations on their settlement.

“IT is notified for general information to the public that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning has extended the term of the Pending Bills Verification Committee, with effect from April 1, 2025, up to December 31, 2025,“ read the gazette notice dated September 19, 2025.

The committee was initially appointed in October 2023 by former Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u, with Auditor General Edward Ouko leading an 18-member team.

Other members include Ali Abdulrazaq, Hesbon Omollo, Eric Onyango Gumbo, Patience Mulondo, James Washington Munene Gitonga, Bernard Ndungu, Nicholas Munywoki Mutua, James Kung’u, Cassius Kusienya, Peter Kitheka, Margaret Gichimu, Maximus Siwa, Kanini Nthiga, Livingstone Mburu, David Kipchumba Ruto, and Susan Oyatsi.

The committee’s mandate is to scrutinise and analyse pending bills submitted to the National Government, establishing clear criteria to determine the genuineness of each claim and recommend appropriate settlement measures.

This structured approach seeks to enhance accountability and transparency in the handling of government obligations.

In a separate announcement, CS Mbadi appointed Edward Ouko as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board for a three-year term, effective September 19, 2025.

The appointment was made under Section 49(1)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (Cap. 59A).

“The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning appoints Edward Ouko (FCPA) to be the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board, for a period of three years, with effect from 19th September 2025,” the notice read. In addition, Ouko was appointed as a member of the same board for a similar term under Section 49(1)(h) of the Act.

The Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board plays a key advisory role in strengthening Kenya’s fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

It collaborates with relevant government agencies to tighten compliance and oversight within the financial sector.

Ouko, a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, previously served as Auditor General, where he was widely recognised for promoting accountability and transparency in public finance.

The appointments come as Kenya intensifies efforts to combat illicit financial flows amid heightened scrutiny from global financial watchdogs.

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