Allegations have surfaced against Ms. Jacinta Masila, the Director of Corporate Services at the Office of the Controller of Budget, raising serious concerns about how public funds are managed in Kenya.
According to claims shared online, particularly by Cyprian Nyakundi on X, Ms. Masila is accused of interfering in the distribution of bursary funds and leaking confidential financial data to politicians allied with a former Deputy President.
Although these claims remain unverified, they have attracted significant public attention and concern due to the sensitive nature of her role.
Ms. Masila previously worked as the Chief Officer for Finance in Machakos County. It is during her tenure in public finance management that questions are now being asked about decisions that reportedly blocked counties from accessing bursary funds.
These funds are critical because they support students from poor backgrounds, especially in counties where poverty levels are high. If counties were denied access to these funds without clear justification, it could mean many children were denied a chance to continue their education.
The situation becomes even more serious when linked with the second accusation leaking confidential information on government spending to political figures. Such actions, would not only break professional codes but also compromise the objectivity expected from someone in her position.
The Office of the Controller of Budget plays a major role in ensuring that both national and county governments spend public money properly and within the law.
This office approves and monitors how budgets are implemented and checks that public funds are being used correctly. If anyone inside this office misuses their power or shares sensitive information for political reasons, it damages the trust people have in the system.
As of now, no official statement has come from Ms. Masila or the OCoB. The silence is raising further questions, especially at a time when the public is demanding answers.
People online have responded with a mix of anger, frustration, and disbelief. Some feel that bursary programs have already been misused for a long time, while others say this is another sign of deeper problems within Kenya’s finance system.
Media reports from the same day have highlighted growing tensions between county governors and the Controller of Budget over delayed disbursements.
One article described governors threatening to remove the Controller of Budget due to frustration with the slow release of county funds.
Official records show that Ms. Masila is highly qualified, with over 25 years of experience and advanced degrees in finance and public management.
She also sits on several professional committees that deal with audits and public finance. That makes the situation even more worrying because someone with such credentials is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
The fact that she is now being linked to serious allegations raises questions about the vetting and accountability of senior public officials.
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