Former Auditor General Edward Ouko Lands Senior State Job

NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Auditor General Edward Ouko has made a comeback to public service after being appointed as the Chairperson of the Anti-Money Laundering Advisory Board.

In a Gazette Notice dated September 19, 2025, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi named Ouko to the post for a three-year term.

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 to chairing the board, Ouko will also serve as a member for a similar term, under Section 49(1)(h) of the Act.

The board plays a critical role in guiding Kenya’s war on illicit financial flows and terrorism financing, working with state agencies and financial institutions to strengthen compliance, oversight, and governance within the sector.

Ouko, a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya, is best remembered for his tenure as Auditor General, where he pushed for greater accountability and transparency in public finance management.

His tenure was marked by high-profile audits that exposed gaps in government spending and procurement systems.

The appointment comes at a time when Kenya faces mounting pressure from global financial watchdogs to tighten anti-money laundering measures, especially in light of increased cross-border scrutiny of financial transactions.

In related appointments, CS Mbadi also extended the mandate of the Pending Bills Verification Committee until December 31, 2025.

The committee is tasked with scrutinising and authenticating government pending bills, a matter that has generated controversy over claims of inflated and fraudulent claims.

Meanwhile, in the agriculture sector, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe appointed three new members to the Tea Board of Kenya.

Those appointed include Jackline Cherono, Joseph Karioki Ngige, and William Otemba Oyosi, all of whom will serve for a three-year term beginning September 19, 2025.

Separately, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) issued its 56th Monetary Policy Statement, dated June 2025, in line with Section 4B of the CBK Act.

The CBK also announced the revocation of Bonto Kenya Money Transfer Limited’s licence with effect from September 11, 2025, citing breaches of the Money Remittance Regulations, 2013.

The wave of appointments and regulatory moves underscores the government’s efforts to strengthen governance across financial and agricultural sectors, enhance oversight, and safeguard economic stability.