The Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, has raised concerns over persistent underfunding of her office, warning that it could compromise its ability to effectively monitor public expenditure.
Speaking before the Senate Finance and Budget Committee, Dr. Nyakang’o lamented that budget cuts have severely impacted staff recruitment and retention, limiting the office’s capacity to oversee government spending.Despite submitting a budget proposal of KSh 1.6 billion, lawmakers slashed the allocation by more than half to KSh 777.5 million.
She warned that such financial constraints could weaken transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.“The continuous underfunding of our office is a serious concern. It directly affects our ability to monitor public expenditure effectively, thereby limiting the impact of our oversight role,” Dr. Nyakang’o told the committee.
The Controller of Budget plays a critical role in tracking the utilization of public funds across both the national and county governments. The office is mandated to ensure prudent financial management and prevent misappropriation of public resources.
Dr. Nyakang’o urged legislators to reconsider the budget cuts to enable her office to function optimally, cautioning that failure to do so could undermine fiscal discipline and accountability in government spending.
