President Uhuru Kenyatta has nominated Nancy Gathungu for the position of Auditor General.
She will take over from Edward Ouko if approved by Parliament.
In a statement by State House spokesperson Kanze Dena-Mararo, she said Gathungu was the first among the top three candidates presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta for nomination by the Recruitment Panel.
Her name has been forwarded to Parliament for vetting.
Gathungu, currently the director of audit at the Office of the Auditor, was among 10 accountants shortlisted for the job.
The Auditor General post has been vacant since Ouko left office in August last year.
Ouko’s succession has delayed a great deal after PSC’s first bid to fill the post was nullified by the High Court. State shortlists 10 applicants for Auditor GeneralSeven of the applicants are staffers of various ranks at the Office of the Auditor General.
The Public Audit Act has no clear provisions for a transition unless the previous office holder dies, resigns, or is removed.
Ouko faulted this arrangement, saying it creates a void in the crucial office and does not guarantee a proper handover.
Activist Okiya Omtatah challenged the process and secured orders compelling the government to conduct the now scheduled fresh interviews.