Govt Official Arrested in Mombasa

Arrested in Mombasa based on 2016 complaints, the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, is one of eleven individuals facing charges.

The allegations include conspiracy to defraud, operating an unlicensed Sacco, forgery, and uttering a false document, as outlined in section 353 of the penal code, according to Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Jacinta Nyamosi.

According to the ODPP, there was sufficient evidence to charge the suspects with the four offenses.

On October 31, 2023, the complainant sent a letter to the ODPP detailing the alleged offenses committed by the suspects.

Upon examining the documents, the ODPP found ample evidence to support charging the suspects. A subsequent letter dated October 31, 2023, resubmitted the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, seeking further guidance.

The letter, in part, stated, “Upon reviewing the new evidence, we identify the following individuals as criminally culpable.”

As the COB, Nyakang’o’s role involves monitoring the use of public funds in both the national and county governments and preparing reports to Parliament on how the funds are utilised.

Since taking office on December 4, 2019, Nyakang’o has been unearthing various graft and loopholes within the government.

On March 7, 2023, Nyakang’o confessed that she was coerced to sign off Ksh15 billion days before the 2022 General Election. 

While appearing before the Parliamentary Public Petitions Committee, she tabled evidence of private chats with a former Cabinet Secretary who pressed her to release the money days before the election.

Nyakang’o responded to the messages, stating that she could not approve as she was out of office. The former CS, however, responded informing her that she needed to devise how to deal with the situation.

In September, she also raised alarm over the Ksh15.3 billion spent by the National Treasury without approval.

Nyakang’o accused the Treasury of spending billions without following the law, expressing fears that the funds could be misused.