The Role of the Controller of Budget in Kenya
- Author Gĩthĩnji
- Updated on:
The role of the Controller of Budget in Kenya is crucial in public finances. The Office of the Controller of Budget is one of the mechanisms that enhance accountability in the expenditure of public resources.
The Office of the Controller of Budget in Kenya is an independent office. The other independent office is the office of the Auditor General in Kenya.
Article 228 of the Kenyan Constitution establishes the Office of the Controller of Budget. The Office of the Controller of Budget (OCOB) oversees the implementation of the national and county government budgets.
The office exercises the oversight by authorizing withdrawals from public funds.
The holder of the Office of the Controller of Budget in Kenya is entitled the Controller of Budget (COB). The person serves for a non-renewable term of eight years. They are not eligible for re-appointment thereafter.
The president nominates the person to hold the office. However, the National Assembly must approve the person before the president appoints them. The person shall have extensive knowledge of public finance or 10 years in auditing public finance management.
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Role of the Controller of Budget in Kenya
The role of the Controller of Budget in Kenya is as follows:
1. Oversight role
This role involves overseeing the implementation of the budgets of both national and county governments. The Controller of Budget in this role, therefore, monitors the use of public funds in-year and reports to Parliament on how the funds have been utilized.
The Controller of Budget performs this role through the controlling role.
2. controlling role
The controlling function involves authorizing withdrawals from public funds. Before authorizing any withdrawal from Public funds, the Controller of Budget must first be satisfied that the said withdrawal is authorized by law, as per Article 228(5) of the Constitution.
Public funds include the: –
- Equalisation Fund (Article 204 of Kenyan Constitution);
- Consolidated Fund (Article 206); and
- County Revenue Fund (Article 207).
3. reporting role
This role entails the preparation of quarterly, annual and special reports to the legislature and executive on budget implementation matters of the national and county governments as provided by law according to (Article 228 (6) of) the Constitution.
The type of reports include but are not limited to:
- Quarterly Reports on Budget Implementation to the Executive and Parliament – Article 228 (6).
- Annual Reports on Budget Implementation to the President and Parliament – Article 254 (1).
- Special Reports to the President and Parliament – Article 254 (2), investigation reports (Article 254 (2)) and reports on stoppage of funds for governments units as per Article 225 of the Constitution.
- Arbitration or Mediation Reports to Parliament on matters relating to Budget Implementation – Article 225 (7a) Article 252 (1a & 1b).
- Performance reports for the activities of Office of Controller of Budget.
- And any other report on Budget implementation that may be required.
To ensure transparency all the reports must be published and publicized as per Article 254(3) which states that “Every report required from a commission or holder of an independent office under this Article shall be published and publicized”.
You can find some of these reports on the Controller of Budget’s website.
4. advisory role
This function involves giving advice to Parliament on financial matters where a Cabinet Secretary has stopped the transfer of funds to a State organ or public entity. The suspension of funds cannot be lifted or sustained before the Controller of Budget gives a report to Parliament.
The Office of the Controller of Budget is expected to investigate the matter regarding the financial performance of a State organ or entity after which it shall prepare and present a report on the matter to Parliament.
Parliament will use the report to approve or renew the decision to stop transfer of funds to a State organ or public entity as provided for under Article 225 (7) of the Constitution.
The Controller of Budget also gives advice to government entities on improving budget implementation e.g. low absorption of funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and County entity. This, therefore, promotes accountability in the use of public financial resources.
5. investigation role
Under Article 252 (1) (a) of the Constitution, the Controller of Budget (independent office) has the power to conduct investigations on its own initiative or following a complaint made by a member of the public on budget implementation matters.
6. Public Sensitization Role
This role involves the dissemination of information to the public on budget implementation at both national and county levels as stipulated under section 39(8) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.
This role is reinforced by Article 35 of the Constitution which provides that the public has the right to access any information held by the state.
Further, the Constitution sets out public participation as one of the principles guiding public financial management (Article 201 (a)).
7. Arbitration Or Mediation Role
The Controller of Budget under Article 252(1) (b) of the Constitution has powers for conciliation, mediation and negotiation.
The Mediation role may involve the resolution of conflicts between the national government and the county government, or between county governments with respect to budget implementation.
This role involves conducting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to resolve disputes relating to budget implementation.
Removal Of The Controller Of Budget From Office
The holder of the Office of the Controller of Budget in Kenya can leave office within the grounds found in Article 251 of the Constitution. These grounds are-
- serious violation of the Constitution or any other law. This includes contravention of Chapter Six (on Leadership and Integrity),
- gross misconduct, whether in the performance of their functions or otherwise,
- physical or mental incapacity to perform the functions of the office,
- incompetence, or
- bankruptcy.
For more information about the Office of the Controller of Budget in Kenya, see The Controller of Budget Act or visit their website.
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