Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has shockingly revealed how she was forced to sign for the release of government billions days to the August 9, 2022 elections.
Nyakang’o says retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime pushed her to approve Sh15.5 billion funding under duress.
Appearing before the National Assembly Public Petition Committee, Nyakang’o told MPs that Former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani pushed her to approve funding for two state departments in violation of the constitution.
According to the controller of budget, Yatani had pushed her to approve Sh6 billion to cater for the exit of Helios Investment in Telkom Kenya threatening her that in the event she failed President Uhuru Kenyatta would personally call her.
“You can see I was being told that His Excellency was going to be asked to call me anytime but he however did not because of that pressure I was under threat,” she said.
She further claims that she was forced to approve Sh9.2 billion which was approved by the National Treasury under Article 223 to the State Department for Infrastructure.
For instance, in July 2022, the office of the Controller of Budget approved Sh2.8 billion as the additional budget for the improvement of the Lamu-Ijara-Garissa Road.
In the same month, the National Treasury requested an approval for an additional budget for the dualling of the Nairobi Eastern By-Pass for Sh4.8 billion and the Construction of Makupa Causeway for Sh1.85 billion.
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Nyakango claims that the National Treasury utilized monies from the Annuity Fund to fund the Sh9.2 billion project for the State Department of Infrastructure which was a violation of the law.
All infrastructural projects constructed using the Annuity Fund must be approved by the Kenya Roads Board.
“The Board is supposed to sit and come up with priority projects but somehow the National Treasury decided that this is where the funds for construction were to come from,” she said.
In the documents presented by Nyakang’o, a person identified as CS Yatani coerced her to release the funds days before the August 9 election.
Yatani: “Good Afternoon, please also facilitate similar approvals for infrastructure ministry for amounts of Ksgs8B (sic) and Sh2 billion.”
Yatani: (One hour and 20 minutes later): Yatani sent her a photo and wrote “Please help us expedite this.”
Yatani is said to have escalated conversation on her email address.
A minute latter he texted her saying President Uhuru Kenyatta “might even call you if we don’t deal with this by 4 pm,”.
Nyakango answered the Former Treasury boss asking, : “Are you saying we have 26 minutes to complete the process?”
Yatani:He just called and I assured him that I have spoken to you and you promised before the end of the day.
“I know he’ll again. He has persuaded some guys to resume work and promised that their bill will be settled by today”.
