Controller of Budget Says She was Coerced to Sign Out Sh15 Billion Days to August 2022 Election

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o claims she was coerced to sign out Sh15 billion days to the August 9th, 2022, general election.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Public Petitions Committee on Tuesday, Nyakang’o said she was threatened to approve Sh6 billion for buying Telcos and Sh9.5 billion from the annuity fund.

She went on to produce alleged conversations between her and former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.

The committee heard that at 2.13 pm on August 4th, 2022, Yatani wrote to Nyakang'o saying “Good Afternoon, please also facilitate similar approvals for infrastructure ministry for amounts Sh8 billion and Sh2 billion.” At 3.33 pm, Yatani sent a photo to Nyakang’o and wrote “Please help us expedite this.”

A minute later, he sent an email reading, “H.E might even call you if we don’t deal with this by 4 pm. Nyakang’o replied by asking “Are you saying we have 26 minutes to complete the process?”

In response, Yatani allegedly wrote: “He’s just called and I assured that I have spoken to you and that you promised by the end of the day.”

Yatani sent another message at 3.37 pm, saying: “I know he will call you again. He persuaded some guys to resume work and promised that their bill be settled by today.” Nyakang’o answered: “The timing requires up to tomorrow as I am still out of office.” 

At 3.39 pm, CS Yatani reportedly told the budget controller: “You need to devise how to deal with it. I am sorry but try.”

Asked why she did not reject requests to approve the funds, Nyakang’o told the committee that it was “not a black-and-white, yes-and-no” situation.

“There are very many things that we have to weigh before you arrive at that decision. But what I am saying is that there are loopholes that need to be assessed and my office needs to be protected,” she said.