- The country’s budget boss was surprisingly arrested and arraigned for an offence she allegedly committed in 2016. She was not the CoB at the time.
- Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the Gusii community was not happy with how the Controller of Budget was being treated by the state.
Some lawmakers from Gusii have claimed that the arrest of Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakangó is part of the wider plot to remove her from office for exposing the financial rot in the Kenya Kwanza administration. https://rb.gy/tm5zrs
Image: EZEKIEL AMINGÁ
Some lawmakers from Gusii have claimed that the arrest of Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakangó is part of the wider plot to remove her from office for exposing the financial rot in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The country’s budget boss was surprisingly arrested and arraigned for an offence she allegedly committed in 2016. She was not the CoB at the time.
Addressing journalists in Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, the lawmakers claimed that the President sanctioned the arrest and prosecution to kick start her removal from the powerful office.
The legislators were led by Nyamira Senator Okongó Omogeni and West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka in whose constituency Nyakangó hails.
“We take this as the persecution of the Omogusii community by President William Ruto and we take this persecution has been provoked by the independence of mind that has been exhibited by the controller of budget,” Nyamira Senator Okongó Omogeni said.
The Parliamentary Service Commissioner added that Nyakang’o was being targeted over her hard position on government extravagance and government policies.
Okongó said the CoB questioned government taxation policy and revealed what he termed budgeted corruption when she appeared before the National Dialogue Committee
“If the President wants political war with the Omogusii community, then we are ready for it,” he said.
While maintaining they would defend Nyakangó, the senior counsel asked why Nyakangó was being sought more than seven years after the offence was allegedly committed.
The senator asked why the matter was not raised during her vetting for the top job.
Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka said the Gusii community was not happy with how the Controller of Budget was being treated by the state.
“Margaret Nyakango is one government officer who has kept off the politics of Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimio and performed her roles well,” Onyonka said.
“There is a plan to hound her out of office since she was not going to accept corrupt activities happening under her watch.
MP Mogaka said Nyakangó's arrest amounted to demeaning of the community.
“We are reading some schemes to kick out the Controller of Budget at a time when the CDF funds among other funds have not been disbursed,” he said.
There was drama during the press briefing when some of the legislators walked out as Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba defended President Ruto against any wrongdoing.
Orwoba said that President Ruto meant well for the community and that it was only some shadowy individuals who were out to create a wedge between the President and the Gusii people.
The Nominated Senator's sentiments irked Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi who alleged that the President was solely behind what was happening to Nyakango.
For his part, Nyamira County MP Jerusha Momanyi said that Nyakang'o was a highly respected professional who should not be treated badly by the government and that she has served diligently by ensuring that state funds were properly utilised.