Finance Committee slams CS Mbadi for dodging key oversight sessions
Kitui Rural MP David Mwalika questioned whether skipping committee meetings reflects the “kind of expertise that led to his poaching from ODM”.
A parliamentary committee has accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi of obstructing its work by ignoring multiple summonses over land and financial oversight issues.
The Finance and National Planning Committee expressed frustration that Mbadi has appeared before them only once since his August 2024 appointment, delaying critical reports and oversight.
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The CS has been linked by MPs to the planned controversial sale of Uchumi Hyper land and the unlawful occupation of College of Insurance land. His repeated absences could see him face censure proceedings, fines, or even parliamentary arrest.
Last month, National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo also came under scrutiny after ignoring 16 summonses.
Molo MP Kuria Kimani, who chairs the committee, said the minister’s defiance has frustrated their work.
“Although we are in a broad-based government, everyone should do their job. CS Mbadi should allow us to do our job. How is it that he finds time to attend committee meetings in the Senate, but he is not available when we summon him?” he posed.
Kimani highlighted that the CS has appeared before the committee only once, during discussions on the establishment of the East African Development Bank.
“It should be noted that during this meeting, CS Mbadi dismissed a report on the EAC bank generated by the National Treasury. He promised to provide a proper report in three months. But almost a year down the line, he hasn’t done it,” he said. “We are deeply disappointed with CS Mbadi because he has made our committee unable to discharge its mandate.”
CS Mbadi was expected to appear before the committee on Tuesday, November 3, 2025, to respond to questions on several pending matters.
“It is important to note that before he got appointed to the Cabinet, the National Treasury Principal Secretary never failed to honour invitations. But now the PS is no longer appearing before the committee,” Kitui Rural MP David Mwalika said.
Constitutional and parliamentary provisions, including Article 125 of the Constitution and Standing Order 191 (1) of the National Assembly, grant committees all powers and privileges necessary to carry out oversight functions.
These include the impending sale of Uchumi Langata Hyper land (LR. No. 209/12593) under a 2018 insolvency petition, the unlawful occupation of College of Insurance land in Nairobi (LR. No. 209/10210), unspent National Government Affirmative Action Fund for Kisii County for the financial year 2023/24, delayed pension payments under the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation Staff Superannuation Scheme and disputed tax arrears owed to KRA by Constituency Development Fund committees.
Soy MP David Kiplagat demanded a statement from the CS on the status of Uchumi land. Baringo Woman Representative Jematia Sergon requested information on the College of Insurance land. Kisii Woman Representative Dorice Donya called for a statement on the unspent NGAAF funds.
Kilifi North MP Ken Chonga sought clarity on the delayed pensions, while Mwingi Central MP Gideon Mulyungi requested a statement regarding disputed tax arrears owed by the CDF committees.
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