MPs amend Budget estimates to reduce deficit

By ALLAN KISIA

Kenya: The Budget and Appropriations Committee proposed several adjustments to Budget estimates to reduce deficit and address public interest.

Committee chairman Mutava Musyimi said they put into consideration views from the public before making a report that was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

Musyimi noted that human resource reforms budget was reduced by Sh1.5 billion, while that of Public Procurement Authority was lowered by Sh19 million.

He further noted that budget for refurbishment of Treasury building was reduced from Sh278 million to zero, as it was not a priority at the moment. “Budget for Expected Service Scheme was reduced by Sh100 million,” added Musyimi.

He said the committee rejected a proposal by the Judicial Service Commission to purchase an aircraft to take its services to remote areas.

Judiciary had proposed a budget for a light plane to facilitate movement of judges and magistrates to remote areas. The committee had consequently asked the Judiciary to furnish it with detailed information on the plan to purchase the aircraft. The Judiciary had proposed to spend Sh24.1 billion of which Sh17.1 billion would be used for recurrent expenditure and Sh7 billion for development. It requested Sh300 million to buy a fixed wing airplane to enable it to take its services to far-flung areas.

Yesterday, Musyimi noted that they had also proposed Sh3 billion to be used for industrial development of the youth. “We propose that Sh1 billion be set aside for infrastructure development at the Ministry of Lands. This money will be used to modernise lands records,” he added.

He said the proposals were arrived at after “a highly consultative process”. MP Richard Onyoka, who seconded the Motion, cautioned politicians against turning the process into a political affair.

“Politicians should have spoken at public meetings. Kenyans should know we have a deficit of Sh102 billion and bear with us,” he stated.

The committee visited ten areas across the country and collected views from the public on the Budget.

The places visited were Kakamega, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Embu, Isiolo, Garissa and Mombasa.