Former EACC Chairman Philip Kinisu and a section of guests during his book launch at the Serena Hotel on Friday, October 3, 2025./HANDOUT
Former EACC chairman Philip Kinisu launched his autobiography, ''The Interrupted Accountant'' at the Nairobi Serena Hotel on Friday.
The launch drew an audience of about 150 guests comprising leading accountants and corporate titans, civil society leaders and academics.
Speakers at the launch tackled various topics and themes gleaned from Mr Kinisu's book, proffering praise for the author's long career in which he emerged as a top anti-corruption crusader in Kenya.
Their unanimous opinion was that Kenyan accountants were not doing enough in the war against corruption.
The experts urged professional accountants to emulate lawyers who never shy away from using their expertise in exposing social ills.
University of Nairobi political science professor Karuti Kanyinga criticised accountants for not promoting the best ethics of their profession.
"During my days in the university, we used to deride BCom students [accountants in training] for using pencils instead of ball pens because they were never sure of their figures,'' he said.
"Even in 2025, they are still using pencils because their figures are constantly changing. You can't fight corruption if you are not sure of the figures you are quoting," Prof. Kanyinga said.
He praised Kinisu, a former Africa Board chairman of audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), for his strong anti-corruption stance and for promoting good governance.
Prof. Kanyinga recalled the year 2001 when Kinisu hired him as a consultant in the national civic education campaign that PwC managed to support the constitution review process. He commended Kinisu for deploying the audit firm's personnel and resources in the fight against corruption.
David Ngugi, a former MP for Kinangop, thanked Kinisu for his role in championing good governance in Kenya, calling him an ethical accountant and auditor.
Prof. Jim McFie of Strathmore University paid a glowing tribute to Kinisu's contributions to the development of the accounting profession in Kenya.
He thanked Kinisu for educating hundreds of accountants as a lecturer at Strathmore University from the mid-1980s through the early 90s, and for mentoring many more as a leader within PwC over a 35-year career.
The highlight of the evening was Kinisu's own address. He challenged accountants to emulate lawyers.
''We all saw last year when the Law Society of Kenya threw their weight behind the victims of police violence during the Gen-Z movement. The society's chairman, Faith Odhiambo, became a household name,'' he said.
Kinisu's book, ''The Interrupted Accountant'', traces his life from his ancestral home in Malaha village, Bungoma County, through his education and rise to the top echelons of the accounting profession with PwC, his love for golf, family and retirement life.
He candidly shared how difficult it was to include personal aspects of his life in the book, but emphasised his belief in authenticity and honesty, qualities he hopes will resonate with readers.
Other speakers at the event included Mr Isaac Awuondo, NCBA Chairman, former Auditor General Edward Ouko, former Cabinet Minister Amos Kimunya, human rights activist George Kegoro and the book's publisher, Mr John Onyando.
During the Q&A segment, senior investigative journalist Jaindi Kisero engaged with Kinisu on his reporting of the infamous 'maize scandal' in 2008.
The session allowed both the audience and media to engage directly with the author, who confidently addressed their questions, underscoring the depth of his work.
