Nepotism in state jobs to attract Sh1 million fine

Government and county officials found guilty of favouritism in state jobs may soon face a fine of up to Sh1 million, following a proposed amendment to the Public Audit (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The proposed changes aim to give the Office of the Auditor-General more powers, including the authority to oversee human resource audits within the public sector.

If the amendment, currently under review by Members of Parliament, is passed, it will enhance accountability in public appointments and recruitments.

Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, who sponsored the bill, seeks to align public sector recruitment with constitutional requirements, particularly in adherence to national values and diversity in public service.

The amendments to Section 65 of the Public Audit Act (Cap 412A) would introduce a new subsection, empowering the Auditor-General to create directorates to strengthen its oversight role.

A key aspect of the proposal is the establishment of the Public Service Human Resource Audit Directorate. This new unit would focus on auditing recruitment and human resource practices within government institutions to ensure compliance with the law.

"The idea here is to ensure that the constitutional provisions in Article 232, Article 10, which deal with national values, and laws relating to human resources in the public service, are adhered to," Kaunya said.

The head of the new directorate would be appointed through a competitive process overseen by the Public Service Commission.

They would serve a three-year term, with the option for one reappointment.

This directorate would audit public service institutions to ensure they follow constitutional principles set out in Articles 10 and 232, which emphasize values such as merit, ethnic and regional balance, and equal opportunities for all, including women, people with disabilities, and minority groups.

MP Kaunya said the amendments seek to fill a gap in oversight regarding recruitment in state jobs and ensure compliance with the constitution's guidelines on fairness and equality.