Controller of Budget Margret Nyakang'o has revealed that her office is unable to monitor the implementation of projects by the national government due to the budget cuts they have suffered.
While appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance and Budget on Tuesday, Nyakang'o revealed that occasionally, her office has been forced to perform half duties because of the lack of funding.
She also revealed that her office is short-staffed because the current funding cannot facilitate further employment.
"Due to inadequate funding, my office has not been able to monitor the implementation of projects at the national government level,'' the CoB revealed.
"From the foregoing, the budgetary provisions, and here I refer to the controller of budget limits in the 2025 budget policy statement, will be vital in ensuring effective implementation and reporting on the implementation of government policy,'' Nyakang'o told the committee.
Nyakang'o has requested the committee to consider an additional budgetary allocation to the office to help its full-service delivery.
"It should be noted that in subsequent years, additional budgetary allocation to the office will be important in ensuring that the office plays a more expanded role in the realization of government policies and agenda," Nyakang'o requested.
Nyakang'o urged the Senators to ensure her office is adequately funded for the effective discharge of its oversight role.
The CoB has, however, revealed that her office will try to use the available funding to deliver its mandate and monitor projects at the county government level despite the budget cuts.
"My office will continue to undertake monitoring and reporting on the implementation of government programs and projects at the county government level," Nyakang'o assured.
The concerns by Nyakang'o come at a time when the national government has been accused of relaunching old projects, specifically old roads, relaunching them as new projects.
Defending the president, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, in August 2024, said President William Ruto’s visits to the different regions are part of his role as the head of state, which involves checking on the progress of projects funded by taxpayer resources, launching new ones, and even re-launching those that have stalled.
It also comes at a time when the president is constantly launching different projects across the country, promising to change the lives of Kenyans for the better.
