𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐃 𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐌𝐃𝐀𝐬 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒. -

Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second

The Committee from Budget and Appropriations has received submissions from six Departmental Committee Chairs today, on the Supplementary II Estimates for Financial Year 2023/24 and Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2024/25.

The Chairperson for Communication, Information and Innovation Hon. John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), briefed the committee on the huge pending bills among the MDAs amounting to Kshs. 102.3 billion in the State Department for Broadcasting and Communication, and Kshs. 1.2 billion in the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy.

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Hon. Kiarie further emphasized on the need to reprioritize sectorial programmes and projects, given the rapid technological change within the sector.

“Chair, we need to reconsider implementation of Constituency innovation hubs and perhaps refocus on Smart Village Hubs. Also, we need to take note that Satellite TV is now phasing out Digital TV.” Stated Hon. Kiarie.

Further, Hon. Kiarie cited the financial struggles bedeviling the Postal Corporation of Kenya, owing to the high debts that have been accumulated by other state corporations, noting that this stifles the efforts to revamp the corporation. In regards to this, Hon. Kiarie requested for additional funding of Kshs. 3 billion.

The Chairperson for the Committee on Tourism and Wildlife Hon. Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), while making his submission, observed that as of 31st March, 2024, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has recorded a total of KSh. 3.86 billion in pending bills. This significant sum comprises Kshs. 3.4 billion attributed to cases related to Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC), and Kshs. 421.18 million arising from court awards.

On financial recommendations, the Tourism Chair requested for additional funding to the State Department for Wildlife of Kshs. 2.2 billion and Kshs. 879 million to the State Department of Tourism.

Hon. Paul Abuor (Rongo), on behalf of the Chairperson for Regional Development, observed a reduction in recurrent expenditure for the Integrated Regional Development program by Kshs 1.35 billion compared to the approved 2024 BPS, representing a 52% cut.

“The cut will affect the RDAs’ personal emoluments and contractual obligations, incapacitating them from operating effectively.” Stated Hon. Abuor.

In addition, the commitee noted a lack of a comprehensive refugee management policy in place, with Hon. Abuor requesting for an additional Kshs. 700 million for a refugee management system.

The Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee Chairperson, Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), noted that there were a number of ongoing projects that have been facing implementation challenges owing to lack of sufficient funding.

“In the State Department for Water and Sanitation, the slow progress of implementation of donor funded projects was being caused by the government not providing adequate counterpart funding for these projects, and delays in disbursement of donor funds by the Headquarters to projects, especially those being implemented by Water Works Development Agencies.” Said Hon. Bowen.

Hon. Bowen futher requested for an additional Kshs. 536 million to the State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries, and Kshs. 9.2 billion to the State Department for Irrigation.

The Chairperson for the Agriculture and Livestock Committee Hon. John Mutunga (Tigania West), observed that Kshs. 1 billion has been provided in the 2024/25 Budget Estimates for payment of sugarcane workers’ salary arrears and other emoluments for employees of the five state-owned sugar companies.

Hon. Mutunga further said that the total amount for worker’s arrears is Kshs. 5.2 billion. He appealed for the provision of the balance of Kshs. 4.2 billion to ensure smooth implementation of the planned sugar reforms in the sector.

Finally, the Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works submitted its report through the Vice-Chairperson Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri (Buuri), who shared that as of April 30, 2024, the State Department of Housing and Urban Development collected Kshs. 34.72 billion through the housing levy.

Further, in FY 2024/25, Hon. Rindikiri briefed Members that the State Department targets to complete the construction of 67,178 housing units with a contract sum of Kshs. 154 billion. As at 30th April 2024, the State Department had incurred Kshs. 6.4 billion. In FY 2024/25, the State Department shall require Kshs. 22.4 billion, for already commenced projects, while planned projects with a contract sum of Kshs. 158 billion shall be determined by the affordable housing board.