By BENJAMIN MUINDI bmuindi@ke.nationmedia.com and PETER NG’ETICH pngetich@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, August 24 2011 at 22:30
Posted Wednesday, August 24 2011 at 22:30
Parliament’s Budget committee has approved Ms Agnes Odhiambo for the Controller of Budget post.
Her nomination was endorsed on Wednesday after the committee held a public vetting of her professional, academic and personal life at the Continental House in Nairobi. (Read:Kibaki to name Budget chief)
Committee chairman Elias Mbau said they would submit a report to the National Assembly Speaker today in preparation for debate on the nomination.
“It is the entire House that will have the final say on the nomination, but members of this committee have expressed unanimous support,” Mr Mbau said.
Ms Odhiambo, who has been the Constituency Development Fund Board chief executive, said that her expertise in managing the fund would be critical in the new office, if finally cleared.
“Success in managing the CDF for the last couple of years has been instrumental, and I strongly believe that the values I have learnt would help greatly as the Controller of Budget,” she said.
The committee sought to know if there was any political link to her nomination as most of the points in the score sheet were drawn from the Prime Minister’s Office.
She said the selection was merit-based, ruling out favouritism.
“I am indeed very qualified for this position,” she told the members, adding “that Kenyans need to be assured that indeed I am competent and that my appointment is not political in nature.”
If approved by the House, Ms Odhiambo will be the first holder of the office for a period of eight years.
She will oversee the budgets of national and county governments.
She shall also provide quarterly reports to Parliament on how money has been spent by the national and county governments.
At the same time, Ms Odhiambo said the CDF Act may be amended to allow to continue going to constituencies directly.
“The section that contradicts the Constitution can be amended,” she said.
She said many schools and dispensaries had been built in the country because of the fund.
“Many children have gone to school courtesy of the fund, and it should be maintained to improve lives at the constituency level,” Ms Odhiambo said.
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