Parliament faces a reevaluation of its financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year following a substantial budget cut of Sh21 billion, endorsed by Members of Parliament on Tuesday evening.
The reduction, in line with recommendations from the Budget and Appropriations Committee, aims to realign Parliament’s spending with the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) endorsed by the House in March.
Originally set at Sh65.8 billion for the 2024/25 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024, Parliament’s budget was revised down to Sh44.6 billion based on a report by the committee chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Upon enactment into law, the Appropriations Bill will authorize government agencies to utilize the allocated funds.
Despite the decrease, the budget represents an uptick compared to the Sh40.74 billion allocated in the current fiscal year.
The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) acknowledged that the optimistic estimates were contingent on the assumption that the BPS-approved ceiling of Sh43.6 billion would be adjusted upwards to cover the financing gap of Sh22 billion.
“It is recognized that the legislative sector has made significant strides towards achieving national goals and objectives,” the document asserts, emphasizing that adequate resources will enhance services and effectiveness in oversight and representation functions.
Parliament is divided into four votes the PSC chaired by Mr. Wetang’ula, the Parliamentary Joint Services (PJS), and votes for the Senate and the National Assembly.
In the estimates presented to the House, the commission proposed an allocation of Sh3.06 billion, the National Assembly Sh32.49 billion, PJS Sh8.63 billion, and the Senate Sh14.42 billion.
However, the National Assembly and Senate incurred the most significant cuts, losing Sh6 billion and almost half, respectively, while the PSC experienced a reduction in its proposed budget.
The approved figures see the PSC allocated Sh1.2 billion, the National Assembly Sh26.8 billion, and the Senate receiving Sh8 billion, with the PJS allocation witnessing an increase.
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