The National Assembly Committee on Cohesion and Equal Opportunities on Thursday dismissed Controller of Budget (CoB) Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o from a scheduled session, citing her lack of preparedness and failure to table necessary documentation.
The Committee, chaired by Mandera West MP Hon. Adan Yussuf Haji, had summoned Dr. Nyakang’o to respond to queries surrounding employment diversity and the 30 per cent reservation for special groups within her agency. The meeting, held at the Bunge Tower in Nairobi, turned tense after Dr. Nyakang’o showed up over an hour late and without the required documents.
“I have only come with one copy of the report for myself and I am waiting for my officers to bring copies for sharing with MPs,” said Dr. Nyakang’o, requesting more time to provide the full report.
Her request was, however, swiftly rejected by the committee members, who expressed disappointment in her conduct. Nyeri Town MP Hon. Duncan Mathenge criticized the CoB, saying she had failed to demonstrate seriousness in her role.
“The Controller of Budget was supposed to avail the documents to the Committee two days before she appears for members to adequately go through,” Mathenge stated. “It is unacceptable for her to ask for more time to make changes to the reports. Why make changes overnight?”
Chairperson Haji echoed these sentiments, questioning why Dr. Nyakang’o had not adequately prepared despite having received the committee’s invitation ten days in advance.
“You got our invite 10 days ago and that should have given you enough time to prepare,” said Haji. “It is unfortunate but we have to send you back so that you prepare well and appear later.”
In her response, Dr. Nyakang’o apologized, citing technological challenges that hindered the timely printing of the documents.
“I apologise to the Committee for inconveniences caused and I comply with the directive,” she said.
The Committee is expected to set a new date for her appearance, pending submission of the required documents.
