Kenya has lost a respected public servant following the death of Deputy Auditor-General Fredrick Odhiambo, who passed away on Thursday, October 2, at Karen Hospital.
Odhiambo, who had been serving as the Deputy Auditor-General in charge of Financial Audit Services since 2020, was widely celebrated for his expertise in accounting, governance, and public finance reforms.
His passing has sent shockwaves through government institutions, civil society, and professional circles, with many hailing him as a reformist who transformed the country’s audit framework.
A Career Marked by Excellence
Appointed five years ago, Odhiambo spearheaded Kenya’s financial audit processes across all 47 county governments, 290 national entities, and hundreds of state corporations. Under his leadership, the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) adopted a modern, risk-based and data-driven audit approach.
This innovation cut fieldwork days by 25 percent and significantly improved audit efficiency, enabling the OAG to expand its coverage to an unprecedented 92 percent of public expenditure in the 2023/24 financial year.
Colleagues describe him as a principled leader who was deeply committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public resources. His work played a critical role in strengthening Kenya’s governance systems, reducing financial mismanagement, and building trust in oversight institutions.
Tributes Pour In
News of his death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from leaders, auditors, and ordinary Kenyans alike. Many took to social media to honor Odhiambo’s contributions, describing him as a man of integrity and a “guardian of accountability.”
“Kenya has lost a brilliant mind and a true patriot who dedicated his life to protecting public resources,” wrote one senior government official.
Civil society groups also praised Odhiambo’s efforts in pushing for transparency, particularly in county audits where misuse of funds has been a recurring issue.
Lasting Legacy
Beyond his professional achievements, Odhiambo will be remembered for mentoring a new generation of auditors. He nurtured a team of more than 1,200 professionals, instilling in them the values of diligence and independence.
His sudden death leaves a huge gap in Kenya’s financial oversight landscape, but his reforms and vision are expected to shape the country’s audit systems for years to come.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced as the family and colleagues mourn a man whose life’s work was dedicated to safeguarding public finance integrity.
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