NAIROBI, Kenya- Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has raised alarm over the challenges facing her office, citing significant funding shortfalls that have hindered the audit of multi-million government projects.
Speaking before the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC), Nyakang’o outlined the difficulties her office faces, ranging from budget constraints to gaps in legislation that impact her constitutional mandate.
Nyakang’o stressed that the budget deficit has made it nearly impossible to carry out the office’s core functions, which include overseeing the implementation of government projects.
“Goodwill and budgetary support are needed for the efficient implementation,” she told the committee. The situation is compounded by what she describes as a discriminatory salary structure that puts her office at a disadvantage compared to other similar offices in the country.
“In consultation with the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM), the office has developed a salary structure to attract and retain qualified staff,” Nyakang’o noted.
However, without adequate funding, addressing these disparities remains a challenge.
Her testimony underscores how budgetary limitations not only affect her office’s operational capacity but also its ability to maintain a skilled workforce.
Nyakang’o also brought to light crucial legislative gaps that affect the office’s continuity. According to her, the existing law does not adequately provide a clear process for declaring a vacancy after the incumbent serves the eight-year term.
Specifically, she pointed to Section 4 of the Controller of Budget (CoB) Act, which lacks any provision for officially recognizing a vacancy in this crucial position.
To improve the situation, Nyakang’o suggested amending Section 9(4) of the Act to allow the CoB to report on all facets of budget implementation, as envisioned in the constitution.
Under the current law, the office is restricted from reporting on economic developments, including revenue, grants, loan forecasts, and receipts. These limitations hamper the office’s ability to provide comprehensive oversight on budget matters.
Further complicating the CoB’s work is the delay in the development of necessary regulations.
Nyakang’o informed the committee that the Senate had previously annulled the draft regulations, citing several reasons, including insufficient incorporation of comments from the National Treasury, weak penalties, and potential overlap with other government agencies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Since then, the CoB has revised the draft regulations, incorporating the Senate’s feedback. However, due to ongoing budgetary constraints, the office has not been able to undertake public participation, a critical step in the regulatory process.
Nyakang’o’s testimony paints a grim picture of the challenges facing the Controller of Budget’s office, emphasizing the urgent need for both financial support and legislative reforms.
