The Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, has raised concerns over Ksh44.52 million spent by the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President, Dr. Joyce Njagi, during the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, despite the office having no budget allocation from the National Assembly.
According to the latest Controller of Budget report, the expenditure occurred between July and December 2025, even though Parliament had not approved any funding for the office in the national budget.
The report indicates that the spending was likely facilitated through the Office of the Deputy President, which had been allocated Ksh3.07 billion during the financial year.
However, the CoB further noted that the Deputy President’s office itself overspent its recurrent expenditure budget by Ksh219.3 million, raising additional concerns about adherence to constitutional public finance management rules.
Under Article 223 and other public finance provisions of the Constitution, government spending must be authorized through parliamentary approval and budgetary allocation before funds are utilized.
Nyakang’o flagged the expenditure as irregular, noting that the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President is not recognized as a budgeted entity under the national budget, meaning it cannot legally incur expenditure without funds being appropriated by Parliament.
The revelation has drawn criticism from sections of the public and governance analysts, especially at a time when President William Ruto’s administration has been pushing austerity measures aimed at reducing government expenditure by up to Ksh300 billion.
Critics argue that spending by offices without approved budgets undermines fiscal discipline and accountability in public finance management.
The Controller of Budget’s office is constitutionally mandated to oversee the implementation of national and county government budgets, ensuring that public funds are used lawfully and in accordance with approved appropriations.
The report is expected to trigger further scrutiny from Parliament and oversight bodies regarding the source of the funds and the legality of the expenditure incurred by the office of the Deputy President’s spouse.
