‘I was Deputy Prime Minister by default’ – Treasury CS nominee Mbadi

Cabinet Secretary nominee in the Ministry of Treasury and National Planning John Mbadi has explained how he played the role of the Deputy Prime Minister in the Grand Coalition government

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments on Saturday, August 3, 2024, Mbadi told the MPs sitting in the committee that he was compelled to play that role due to prevailing political situations and a court case involving one of the Deputy Prime Ministers.

Mbadi detailed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta who was one of the Deputy Prime Ministers at the time had stepped aside due to a court case at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Musalia Mudavadi who was the Deputy Prime Minister had left office due to political differences, Mbadi further explained.

Being the Assistant Minister in the office of the then Prime Minister Raila Odinga, he was forced to step up and perform the roles expected of the Deputy Prime Minister.

“The former President was a Deputy Prime Minister had stepped aside due to the case at ICC and the other Deputy Prime Minister had practically left office due to political differences.

“I was basically Deputy or Assistant Prime Minister by default in the period I was there,” he stated.

John Mbadi: I was an assistant minister in the office of the Prime minister and my responsibility was to supervise and coordinate government functions in all ministries which is very much in line with treasury.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/TFNxwV6stq

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 3, 2024

Roles he played

While serving as a Deputy Prime Minister in default, Mbadi indicated that he played a critical role coordinating the government functions in all ministries.

He was also compelled to supervise some key government functions as assigned to him.

“Let me just mention for relevance, as an Assistant, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, I was also involved in helping the Prime Minister.

“The responsibility of that office was basically to supervise and coordinate government functions in all Ministries, Departments and State Agencies,” he added.

Mbadi thus maintained that he is ready to execute the roles expected of the National Treasury CS if approved by the Committee on Appointments.

Among key policies he aims to implement includes restructuring of the country’s debt, publishing debt records and changing some key working frameworks at the National Treasury.

John Mbadi: Our public debt levels are worrying. Debt accountability is a priority. Kenyans should know that it’s not the gov’t that owes the China gov’t, World Bank or IMF, it's them. #K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/Z2t9LBgf9t

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 3, 2024