Kenyans Read Mischief In Arrest Of Margaret Nyakang'o Over Complaint Made In 2016: "Truth Is Costly"

• Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o was arrested in connection with a complaint made against her and 10 other people in 2016
• However, a section of Kenyans have termed her arrest political following her recent statements on misappropriation of public funds
• Narok senator Ledama Olekina wondered why the police had to wait for seven years to arrest Nyakan'o

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kenyans have expressed reservations regarding the arrest of Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o.

Why was Margaret Nyakang'o arrested

Nyakang'o was arrested on Tuesday, December 5, while attending a public event in Mombasa county.

According to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Nyakang'o's arrest was in connection with a complaint made against her and 10 other people in 2016.

However, the timing of the arrest has left Kenyans with many questions, some suggesting her firm stand over government spending could have played a part.

Recently, she has been exposing the shortcomings of the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the government may soon be unable to render crucial services due to the weakening shilling against the dollar.

Reacting to her arrest, former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame said her arrest was directly linked to her firm stand for the truth.

According to Kigame, Nyakang'o was paying the price for telling the truth about President William Ruto's government.

"How many years later Comrade? this feels like what happens when police stop you to look for mistakes on your car when you have none, and especially when you have complied. defending the truth is costly. But it is not in vain," Kigame said.

How Azimio leaders reacted to the arrested

Other leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party have also read mischief in the arrest of the Controller of Budget.

Ledama Olekina:

"Welcome to Kenya, where the police take action on a complaint 7 years later … only crooks can survive in a rotten system."

Caleb Amisi, MP

"Arresting and charging the controller of budget Margaret Nyakango is nothing but political persecution. She has been at the forefront of fighting corruption that is deeply embedded in both the central government and county government. We must celebrate stern astute women leaders and not intimidate them ! Kenya needs a Renaissance."

Robert ALAI:

"COB Margaret Nyakang’o has remained to be the only consistent voice against wastage in this regime. The Auditor General seems not ready to ruffle feathers. Now they want to fix the COB with fake charges? For you to arrest COB, you must notify the President. Clearly they are not ready to fight wastage in this government."

How Nyakang'o exposed KSh 5.66b salary scandal

As reported earlier, Nyakang'o exposed a KSh 5.66 billion salary scandal perpetuated by the Kenya Kwanza government.

Details are contained in the national government budget implementation review report for the first nine months of the financial year 2022/23.

In her report, the CoB revealed that KSh 363.66 billion was processed as salaries through the integrated personnel and payroll database and other approved systems.

"A review of the recurrent expenditure shows that KSh 399.96 billion was spent on compensation to employees representing 40.3% of the gross recurrent expenditure by MDAs.

Further analysis revealed that KSh 363.66 billion was processed through the integrated personnel and payroll database (and other approved payroll management systems). KSh 5.66 billion was paid outside the prescribed payroll management system," the report seen by TUKO.co.ke stated.