Margaret Nyakang'o arrested

By Peter Ochieng

Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang'o has been arrested.

She was arrested in Mombasa, while attending a public forum.

Nyakang'o and 10 others are expected to face charges including conspiracy to defraud contrary to Section 317 of the Penal Code, operating a Sacco without a Licence Contrary to Section 24 as read with Section 66 of the Sacco Societies Act, 2008, and forgery and uttering a false document. She reportedly committed the crimes in 2016, before she became the Controller of Budget.

She assumed the prestigious office in June, 2020, during former president Uhuru Kenyatta's time in office.

Charges against her were approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in a letter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on 30th November, 2023.

She has been vocal against government expenditure, on most occassions flagging president William Ruto's administration for spending beyond particular budgetary allocations.

Authorities have stepped up measures to apprehend her co-accused.

The other suspects are; Jackson Ngure Wanjau, Susan Kendi, James Makena Wanyagi, John Muchira Kithaka, Jane Karuu Ndanvi, Muthoni Elphas, Joan Chumo, Mercy Ndura Mukora, Gregory Mwangangi Mailu, and Michael Kipkurui.