Controller of Budget sounds alarm over Sh850 million funding shortfall
Nyakang’o said the Sh704.25 million allocated to her office in the current financial year is already depleted. She noted that without additional funds, critical operations such as monitoring, evaluation, report writing, training, and budget implementation forums would be affected.
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has raised concerns that her office could be crippled due to severe funding shortfalls, with an Sh850 million deficit in the upcoming financial year.
She also pointed out that some government officers are bypassing an automated system meant to enhance transparency in public spending, choosing to use it selectively instead.
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Speaking before the Senate Finance and Budget Committee on Wednesday, Nyakang’o said the Sh704.25 million allocated to her office in the current financial year is already depleted.
She noted that without additional funds, critical operations such as monitoring, evaluation, report writing, training, and budget implementation forums would be affected.
“We have a lean budget and are only surviving because of keeping expenses at the bare minimum,” Nyakang’o told the committee led by Mandera Senator Ali Roba.
Her office had requested Sh1.63 billion for the next financial year but was allocated only Sh777.5 million, leaving a shortfall of Sh579.3 million for key programmes.
She urged the Senate to intervene and push for additional funding.
“We have been allocated less than 50 percent of what we asked. Achieving our targets will be tough. We, therefore, are seeking the intervention of the Senate for additional funding of at least Sh579.3 million. We are like a stalled vehicle without the money,” Nyakang’o said.
Among the areas affected by the funding cuts is career progression, where an allocation of Sh182.8 million was requested but not provided.
Similarly, no funds were allocated for the Sh102 million meant for legislative proposals to strengthen oversight, Sh50 million for system automation, Sh24 million for training, and Sh15.3 million for foreign travel.
“Since becoming Controller of Budget six years ago, I have not traveled outside the country to learn best practices. My office has been experiencing high staff turnover, with seven workers leaving in the last six months due to poor pay,” Nyakang’o stated.
Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and Richard Onyonka (Kisii) pledged to advocate for additional funding, warning that continued budget cuts could weaken oversight on public finances.
“You have been asking for more funding for three years to no avail. We will give you the tools to make your office fight corruption,” Senator Onyonka said.
The committee also heard that efforts to automate the Controller of Budget Management Information System (COBMIS) have stalled due to a lack of funding.
Despite achieving 20 percent automation by December 2024, full implementation remains uncertain as other government agencies, including the National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya, need to digitise their processes as well.
“Those who are sending us reports must also automate. The National Treasury must automate, and in the same process, the CBK must also automate. The implication here is that we hope by 2025/2026, when all parties come together, we will complete the automation system,” Nyakang’o noted.
Senators raised concerns that the funding cuts could be deliberate attempts to weaken independent budget oversight, warning that financial accountability could be compromised if the Controller of Budget’s office remains underfunded.
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