- Controller of Budget Nyakang’o faces charges, including conspiracy and operating a Sacco without a license
- Arrested in Mombasa, Nyakang’o denies arrest, stating she voluntarily recorded a statement
- Nyakang’o warns of fiscal challenges due to a weakening shilling and rising public debt
In a significant turn of events, the Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, found herself in the midst of legal scrutiny as she was arrested in Mombasa.
Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o
Photo: X
The charges awaiting her, along with 10 others, span a range of allegations, including conspiracy to defraud, operating a Sacco without a license, forgery, and uttering a false document.
These accusations stem from a complaint filed back in 2016, predating Nyakang’o’s assumption of the Controller of Budget position in June 2020.
Addressing the arrest, Nyakang’o was quick to clarify, stating, “I was not arrested but presented myself to the police station to record a statement on the said charges.”
This assertion suggests a proactive engagement with the legal process rather than a reactive response to a surprise arrest. Despite her clarification, the circumstances surrounding the arrest indicate a degree of official urgency, with reports indicating she was trailed and subsequently apprehended during a public event in Mombasa.
Efforts to apprehend the remaining 10 individuals involved in the case were reported to be underway. The charges, approved by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on November 30, point to a complex legal scenario involving financial impropriety and regulatory violations.
Dr. Nyakang’o, known for her vocal stance on matters of public expenditure, has been a crucial figure in assessing and highlighting financial concerns. Recently, she warned of potential challenges facing the government in rendering essential services.
Her observations focused on the weakening shilling against the dollar, leading to a substantial increase in public debt.
In her National Government Budget Implementation Review Report for 2022/23, she articulated, “The continuous depreciation of the Kenya shilling will necessitate an increase in the amount required for loan repayments.”
This situation, she emphasized, poses a threat to the government’s fiscal space, limiting the implementation of critical policies and programs. It could inevitably result in budget adjustments, affecting the delivery of essential public services.
The unfolding legal proceedings add a layer of complexity to the already challenging economic landscape, raising questions about the potential impact on budgetary oversight and financial governance in the country.
