Manyatta MP: Corruption in Kenya starts at the budgeting stage
By Kiprono Keileb, August 25, 2025Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has called for a fundamental overhaul of Kenya’s budgeting and financial management systems, asserting that corruption in the country begins at the allocation stage.
Speaking during a talk show aired on a local television station on Monday, August 25, 2025, Mukunji criticised the government for relying on cash-based empowerment programs, which he said create loopholes that enable misappropriation of funds.
“Corruption starts at the budgeting level. If we improve the way we budget and allocate funds across ministries and parastatals, we can significantly curb corruption in our country,” Mukunji said.
He argued that the lack of structured financial oversight, particularly at the executive level, has perpetuated the misuse of public funds.
The MP singled out the presidency, stating that Parliament has effectively given the executive a “blank cheque” that allows cash to circulate without accountability.
“We have given the presidency a blank cheque as Parliament to take money and have it in cash. That is why you see so much money moving around. The presidency has enhanced corruption and not fought it in any way,” Mukunji said, emphasising that the issue undermines trust in government accountability.
Mukunji criticised cash-driven empowerment programs, such as harambees, which he said operate without proper documentation or oversight.
“You will hear the President moving around doing harambees producing Ksh20 million, and you will never see a bank transfer of that money from one account to another. That suggests there is a loophole deliberately created to divert funds, allowing individuals to move around conducting harambees without implementation or accountability. You cannot oversee hard cash,” he explained.
The legislator argued that tackling corruption requires more than public speeches or symbolic gestures; it requires structural reforms in budgeting, disbursement, and reporting mechanisms. He urged the government to ensure that all funds allocated to ministries and parastatals are traceable and properly documented, with transparent auditing systems in place.
Call for structural reforms
According to Mukunji, cash-based systems are inherently risky because they eliminate accountability and allow funds to be diverted without consequence. “If we do not reform how money is handled from the budgeting stage to implementation, we will continue to see loopholes that corrupt the system,” he warned.
Implications for Governance
Mukunji’s comments come amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness of government empowerment programs and the transparency of public spending. Analysts say his critique highlights the need for digital and accountable financial systems that reduce opportunities for corruption while ensuring that public funds reach intended beneficiaries.