Omtatah calls for overhaul of Treasury and Finance ministry

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has called for a complete separation of the National Treasury from the Ministry of Finance to curb the misappropriation of public funds.

Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, January 7, Omtatah argued that the misuse of funds by the Office of the President stems from a lack of proper accountability procedures. 

He noted that the theft of public funds has contributed to poor governance in the country.

“The main problem is the refusal to delink the Treasury from the Ministry of Finance,” he said. “If the Treasury were independent and professionally managed, it would only be accessible as the law dictates—through parliamentary appropriations and oversight by the Controller of Budget, not by the President.”

The lawmaker suggested that separating the Treasury from political influence would ensure that financial matters are addressed through Parliament, with urgent needs handled via supplementary budgets. 

He criticised instances where the President has publicly allocated funds outside the approved budget.

“The presidency becomes imperial because of its free access to taxpayers' money. That’s why we must split the Treasury from the Ministry of Finance,” said Omtatah. 

He believes such reforms would enhance governance. “Once politicians are denied unrestricted access to public funds, the country will stabilize, and institutions will function effectively.” 

Omtatah, a renowned activist and lawmaker, has announced his bid for the 2027 presidential election, vowing to fully implement the Constitution and champion good governance if elected.

In addition to his legislative work, the Busia Senator is well-known for his activism and anti-corruption efforts, often filing legal petitions to hold public officials accountable. 

Abductions

In 2024, he played a significant role in youth-led protests against abductions, which he linked to attempts to undermine the demand for good governance.

Omtatah criticised security agencies for failing to protect citizens and investigate abductions adequately.

“The Inspector General of Police should make a comprehensive statement. If he doesn’t know what happened, he should at least outline the steps taken to find the victims,” he said.

He also questioned claims by security officers that they were unaware of the abductors, promising to pursue legal action against those responsible.

“If these people have been released, the police should debrief them, establish patterns, and gather intelligence to arrest the culprits,” he added.