Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee are up in arms over a supplementary funding proposal put forth by various ministries, departments, and State agencies (MDAs). They argue that these entities are flouting constitutional provisions and disregarding the established budgeting process.
The uproar follows a recent report from the Controller of Budget, which revealed that 18 MDAs had submitted requests to the National Treasury, seeking funding for various projects totaling Ksh.15.27 billion. What’s astonishing is that these requests came merely two months after the annual budget estimates were approved.
Among the contentious funding applications was a substantial Ksh.400 million plea from the Office of the State Comptroller for the acquisition of motor vehicles.
When Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, the Controller of Budget, appeared before the Budget and Appropriations Committee, she disclosed disconcerting proposals by government ministries and departments that were essentially trying to secure supplementary funding for items outside the original budget’s scope.
These MDAs were invoking Article 223 of the Constitution, which outlines the criteria for projects eligible for supplementary budget allocation. Shockingly, between July 28th and September 13th of the current year, just a month after the annual budget presentation, these 18 entities approached the national treasury seeking additional financial support. Dr. Nyakango clarified that no additional funds had been disbursed as of yet.
Perhaps the most criticized request among the bunch was from the Office of the State House Comptroller, seeking Ksh.400 million for the purchase of motor vehicles. This request raised eyebrows, given the more pressing issues faced by Kenyans at the time.
Similarly, the State Department of EAC had requested Ksh.16 million to procure the Cabinet Secretary’s official vehicle. Meanwhile, the State Law Office had requested Ksh.250 million to fund the refurbishment of the registry and create office space for the Attorney General and the Solicitor General.
Members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee collectively deemed some of these budgetary requests as unjustified and extravagant.
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