CS Mbadi criticizes Controller of Budget Nyakang’o over county cash delays

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has taken issue with Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o, accusing her office of engaging in practices that hinder county government operations.

Speaking at a consultative meeting with the Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee on Thursday, Mbadi criticized what he described as "rent-seeking antics" by the CoB's office.

The Treasury CS expressed frustration that county officials have to travel to Nairobi to clear their funds, something he believes can easily be handled through phone or email communication, allowing more time for economic growth.

“I wish the Controller of Budget was here, I have a problem with her office. I don’t mince my words, I say them as they are. Once we transfer money to counties, let that money reach the counties, there should be no bottlenecks,” Mbadi said.

“There is no reason, Governors, that your officers are always in Nairobi to clear with the office of the Controller of Budget; that is rent seeking, and it should stop.”

Mbadi emphasized the need for a system that operates without unnecessary human interference to ensure the timely disbursement of funds.

“I’ve always wanted a forum where I can tell her publicly, she must reign in on her officers. And that does not mean I am attacking her, I am criticizing her. She is also open to criticize me,” he stated.

Additionally, Mbadi reiterated the government's position on reduced allocations to counties, maintaining that only Ksh.380 billion can be allocated, instead of the Ksh.400 billion requested by the counties.

The funding issue has been a point of contention between the national and county governments, which insist that they want nothing less than Ksh,400 billion, especially following the launch of the Social Health Authority (SHA).