Former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u has publicly criticized President William Ruto for undermining state institutions and fostering an atmosphere of fear among government officials.

Speaking at a conference in Sweden organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA), Ndung'u shared his experience serving in Kenya's financial sector and highlighted challenges within the current administration.

Pressure on Institutions

Njuguna Ndung'u claimed that state agencies face intense pressure from the Executive branch, compelling officials to conform to leadership demands out of fear. He stressed that despite this environment, he personally refused to engage in corrupt deals during his time at the National Treasury.

"The current president overruns all the institutions, and that is why everybody in those institutions will have to conform for fear. But I refuse to do deals in the Ministry of Finance. I can't do deals. I know it follows you to your grave," Ndung'u stated.

He also noted that some former officials linked to previous administrations remain embroiled in investigations and legal challenges related to financial misconduct long after leaving office, underscoring the lasting consequences of such actions.

M-Pesa Controversy

Reflecting on his tenure as Central Bank of Kenya governor from 2007 to 2015, Ndung'u revealed that the mobile money platform M-Pesa nearly faced obstruction when a finance minister attempted to halt its operations. He resisted this interference, emphasizing the Central Bank's independence from political directives.

However, Ndung'u admitted that pressure from major commercial banks eventually led to some compromises regarding M-Pesa's service. He suggested that the platform's success was partly due to the political context at the time.

Career and Government Changes

Njuguna Ndung'u was appointed National Treasury CS by President Ruto in September 2022, replacing Ukur Yatani. His period in office included managing Kenya's largest budget at KSh 3.599 trillion in 2023. He was removed in 2024 during a Cabinet reshuffle following nationwide protests against the Finance Bill and succeeded by John Mbadi.