In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- A budget estimate from the Controller of State House reveals Ksh.11.5 billion in taxpayer funds allocated for 13 projects, including state house renovations and lodge refurbishments.
- Concerns arise over high recurrent expenditure, while the Basic Education Principal Secretary highlights the Treasury’s removal of Ksh.4.9 billion from the Free School Feeding Program, affecting millions of learners, as the Office of the Deputy President seeks significant budgetary provisions for vehicle purchases and office refurbishments.
A budget estimate presented by the Controller of State House, Katoo Ole Metito, reveals significant government spending amidst public discontent over continued tax burdens outlined in the Finance Bill 2024.
The estimates indicate that Ksh.11.5 billion of taxpayer revenue will fund 13 projects, including the renovation of state houses and lodges nationwide.
State House plans to allocate Ksh.8 billion for salaries, operations, and maintenance expenditures.
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However, the presented estimates indicate an overshoot of the approved budget ceiling by Ksh.262 million during the Financial Year 2023/24.
Projects outlined in the estimates include the refurbishment of buildings at State House Nairobi, costing an estimated Ksh.1.7 billion over three years, with Ksh.250 million proposed in the 2024/2025 budget.
Other projects encompass ICT networking and communications equipment, construction works, and refurbishments at various state lodges across the country.
Legislators have raised concerns over the high recurrent expenditure, primarily consisting of personnel emoluments amounting to Ksh.7.9 billion.
The total budgetary allocation for State House in the 2024/2025 financial year is Ksh.9.4 billion.
These revelations emerge shortly after the Basic Education Principal Secretary informed the National Assembly Education Committee of the Treasury’s removal of Ksh.4.9 billion budget allocation for the Free School Feeding Program, affecting over 4 million learners due to financial constraints.
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Meanwhile, the Office of the Deputy President has confirmed its request for hundreds of millions of shillings in budgetary provision for the purchase of new cars and the refurbishment of official premises.
However, it disputes figures reported in the media, as informed by Principal Administrative Secretary Patrick Keige Mwangi’s appearance before the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and Internal Security.