A Treasury Built on Lies: Why John Mbadi Must Resign and Face Prosecution

When the Cabinet Secretary in charge of a nation’s finances admits in an affidavit that he misled the public, the matter ceases to be politics and becomes a national scandal that strikes at the heart of public trust. The admission by John Mbadi that he lied to Kenyans about the controversial Sh5 trillion infrastructure fund is not a small misstatement, nor is it a trivial political slip. It is an extraordinary confession by the very individual entrusted with managing the country’s economic lifeblood. A Treasury Cabinet Secretary does not merely hold an office; he holds the financial destiny of a nation. When such an official admits to deceiving the public about a fund of this magnitude, the implications are grave, far-reaching, and impossible to ignore.

The National Treasury sits at the center of Kenya’s economic governance. It determines how public money is raised, how debt is structured, and how development priorities are financed. Every citizen, every investor, and every international partner relies on the credibility of the institution and the honesty of the person who leads it. For the Treasury Cabinet Secretary to concede, under oath, that he knowingly misled Kenyans about a Sh5 trillion initiative undermines not only his own credibility but also the institutional integrity of the Treasury itself. Such a revelation shakes confidence in the entire architecture of economic governance.

This is not merely about political messaging or communication errors. The admission came through a sworn affidavit—a legal instrument that carries the weight of truth under oath. That detail alone elevates the seriousness of the matter. A sworn statement acknowledging that the public was misled raises profound questions about accountability, legality, and the ethical standards expected from those entrusted with the highest offices of the state. If a Cabinet Secretary can mislead the public on matters involving trillions of shillings and continue in office without consequence, then the concept of public accountability becomes meaningless.

Kenya cannot afford to normalize dishonesty in the management of public finances. At a time when citizens are burdened with taxes, struggling businesses are fighting to survive, and the country faces intense fiscal pressure, transparency from the Treasury is not optional—it is essential. Every statement issued by the Treasury shapes investor confidence, guides public policy, and influences the credibility of the Kenyan state in global financial markets. When the head of that institution admits to lying, the damage extends far beyond a single controversy; it erodes the foundation upon which public financial management rests.

The inevitable conclusion is unavoidable. John Mbadi can no longer continue serving as Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury. His admission has stripped him of the credibility required to occupy that office. Leadership at the Treasury demands absolute integrity, unwavering honesty, and a commitment to the truth even when the truth is inconvenient. A Cabinet Secretary who acknowledges misleading the public about trillions of shillings has forfeited the moral authority to remain in charge of the nation’s finances.

Resignation alone, however, is not sufficient. The gravity of this admission requires a full legal examination of whether laws governing public accountability and financial management have been violated. The Kenyan Constitution and the legal framework governing public office demand honesty, transparency, and fidelity to the truth from state officials. When those principles are breached, consequences must follow—not merely political consequences but legal ones as well.

This is why the Law Society of Kenya must now step forward and demand accountability. The LSK has historically positioned itself as a guardian of constitutionalism and the rule of law. This moment calls for that mandate to be exercised with clarity and courage. The society must move to pursue legal accountability and ensure that the courts examine the circumstances under which Kenyans were misled about the Sh5 trillion infrastructure fund. Silence in the face of such an admission would send a dangerous signal that dishonesty at the highest levels of government carries no consequences.

The Kenyan people deserve leadership that respects the truth, particularly in matters involving public finances. The Treasury is not a political theater where narratives can be shaped to suit momentary convenience. It is a critical institution whose credibility underpins the economic stability of the republic. When that credibility is compromised, the nation pays the price—in lost investor confidence, weakened institutions, and a deepening erosion of trust between citizens and the state.

This moment therefore demands clarity and courage. John Mbadi must resign immediately. Beyond resignation, the relevant legal institutions—supported by the Law Society of Kenya—must pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and determine whether prosecution is warranted. Public office cannot be a shield behind which falsehoods are admitted and then forgotten.

Kenya’s democracy cannot survive if honesty becomes optional for those who manage the nation’s wealth. The rule of law must prevail, and the standards of public service must remain uncompromising. The admission has been made. The truth is now on record. What remains is accountability.

Read Also: John Mbadi Calls Technological Innovation To Boost Revenue Collection By KRA