Nyakang’o rise to controller post

Kenya’s Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang’o is an accountant and financial manager with a distinguished career in finance and budget management.

She took over the corner office on 18 November 2019 to became the second person to serve in that capacity, having succeeded Agnes Odhiambo, who was Kenya’s first Controller of Budget.

She has previously worked as the Director of Finance at the Africa International University and was selected as the best candidate out of a field of 15 applicants, including the then-acting Controller of Budget, Stephen Masha.

On LinkedIn, she describes herself as a person with a strong background in accounting and audit and “a well-rounded consultant with research interests in strategic workforce planning within the African continent”.

Nyakang’o began her career in the public sector in the early 2000s serving as an economist in the Ministry of Finance, where she gained experience in economic analysis and policy formulation.

Her strong analytical skills and dedication to financial management soon earned her recognition, leading to promotions and increased responsibilities.

She tutored for a year at KCA University where she was a lecturer in Public Sector Finance between January 2019 and December 2019.

The CoG had also served as the Director of Finance and Administration at the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) for a decade between November 2008 and October 2018.

In 2011, Margaret Nyakang’o joined the Office of the Controller of Budget as an Assistant Controller of Budget. This marked a significant milestone in her career as she took on a role that would shape her expertise in budget management.

Among the highlights of her career as CoB is that she caused a political stir in the country on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, after she revealed that she was forced to approve Sh10 billion within a few minutes by the previous government.

She tabled a report to Parliament, admitting to having approved such a huge sum less than a week before the General Election. She noted that she was forced to approve the transaction by senior government officials.

Transparency

While being vetted for the CoB position in November 2019, Nyakang’o revealed that she was worth Sh68 million.

The revelations aside, very few Kenyans, however, know Nyakang’o’s illustrious career and impeccable academic qualifications to the top of controlling the government’s spending.

Other places she has worked include the Lake Basin Development Authority, Bob Morgan Services Limited, Harambee Sacco Society, Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology and Mitun Business Consulting Limited.

Nyakang’o played a crucial role in the oversight and control of public funds, ensuring compliance with budgetary regulations and promoting transparency in government spending.

Through her exceptional performance, Nyakang’o quickly climbed the ranks within the OCOB.

In 2013, she was appointed the Deputy Controller of Budget, assuming a more significant role in the management of public resources.

Her responsibilities included monitoring government expenditures and providing insightful reports on budget implementation.

During her tenure as the Deputy Controller of Budget, Nyakang’o demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and a keen eye for detail.

She actively championed the need for efficient utilisation of public funds and encouraged a culture of accountability among government institutions. Her efforts played a vital role in improving fiscal discipline and curbing wasteful expenditure.

In July 2019, Nyakang’o achieved a career milestone when she was appointed as the Controller of Budget. This prestigious position placed her at the forefront of financial oversight in the country.

As the Controller of Budget, she assumed the responsibility of ensuring prudent management of public finances, conducting regular audits and providing independent assessments of budget implementation.

Under Nyakang’o’s leadership, the Office of the Controller of Budget continued to enhance its role in promoting transparency and accountability in Kenya’s public sector.

She emphasized the importance of stakeholder engagement and collaboration, working closely with government ministries, departments and agencies to streamline budgetary processes and improve financial governance.

Nyakong’o holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool.

She also holds a Master of Business Administration – Strategic Management option from the University of Nairobi. She is also a Certified Sacco professional which she earned at Strathmore University.