Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o has sensationally alleged that she was forced to approve the release of Sh15 billion from the coffers only days to the 2022 General Election.

Nyakang’o made the claims before the National Assembly Public Petitions Committee on Tuesday to shed more light on the last withdrawals made by the last administration.

According to her, she was allegedly put under duress to sign off on Sh6 billion to purchase back Telcom stakes and approve Sh9.5 billion for various State projects on August 4, 2022.

The Controller of Budget then proceeded to produce a document that she claimed captured a conversation she had with former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani demanding release of the cash.

Nyakang’o claimed before the committee that on August 4, 2022 in the afternoon, Yatani pushed her to fast track the release Sh8 billion and a further Sh2 billion for various projects.

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She tabled a series of communications alleged to be between her and the former CS, where he urged her to expedite the payments as orders from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ukur Yatani. 

The legislators, however, questioned her on why she did not reject the alleged coercion and she responded by noting that legal loopholes need to be sealed to protect her critical office.

“There are very many things that we have to weigh before you arrive at that decision. But what I am saying is that there are loopholes that need to be assessed and my office needs to be protected,” said Nyakang’o.

This come days after DP Rigathi Gachagua claimed officers in the past administration carted away Sh15 billion ahead of the last poll and vowed to reveal their identities in the coming days.

{William Ruto and Kindiki Kithure during the unveiling of the Kanyonyo Police Border Hospital in Kitui County. PHOTO/COURTESY

The Uhuru government, in supporting documents, had said the cash was to pay maize and fuel subsidies, road projects including Lamu-Ijaara-Garissa Road, Nairobi’s Eastern bypass as well as the Makupa bridge in Mombasa.

The cash was also meant for, Kanyonyo and Mbagathi Level 5 Forces Hospitals, Telkom Kenya buyout, security operations and to clear Nairobi Metropolitan Services pending bills among other state projects.

Makupa Bridge. 

Article 223 of the Constitution permits the national government, through the National Treasury to spend money that has not been appropriated if:

(a) the amount appropriated for any purpose under the Appropriation Act is insufficient or a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated by that Act; or

(b) money has been withdrawn from the Contingencies Fund.

However, the law stipulates that the approval of Parliament for any spending under this Article shall be sought within two months after the first withdrawal of the said money.