Leaders hailing from Kilifi County have showered President Uhuru Kenyatta with praises for appointing Stephen Masha as the controller of budget albeit in an acting capacity.
Speaking to members of the press on Friday, the speaker of the Kilifi County Kadhua Jimmy Kahindi hailed the head of state for recognising one of their own.
Flanked by other Kilifi leaders, the speaker appealed to the president to appoint Mr Masha as the substantive controller of budget, saying that he had the requisite experience to do the job.
"Clearly this is an indication that the spirit of the handshake is alive. We have never hoped before that one of our own could rise to that position. We are fully aware that the position is on acting capacity but we have no doubt in our mind that your excellency you have the power to ensure that Stephen Masha takes over the controller of budget, " the Kilifi County speaker said.
Stephen Masha was appointed to the plum position after the exit of Agnes Odhiambo whose 8-year non-renewable tenure at the helm elapsed on Monday.
"In exercise of powers conferred by section 7(1) of the Controller of Budget Act, 2016, I Uhuru Kenyatta, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, designate Stephen Masha to be the acting Controller of Budget for a period of 90 days with effect August 27, 2019, " a gazette notice of Masha's appointment by President Uhuru Kenyatta read.
He had worked as the deputy controller of budge