Relief for ministries as MPs give nod to funds withdrawal

The Kenyan Government finally got the green light to withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund after MPs unanimously passed the Appropriations Bill.

Consequently, the government is now free to spend the last half of the Sh567.7 billion as spelt out in the June budget for the 2009/2010 financial year.

The Appropriations Bill, presented in the House by Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta (right), sailed through the three formal stages without a hitch.

The minister told the House that some Sh100 million set aside in the budget for nominated MPs will be re-allocated to the National Assembly budget to cater for various programmes, including provision of offices for them.

The money approved includes Sh283.8 billion voted on account by the National Assembly in June as a half budgetary allocation to ministries.

MPs, however, said they expect more prudent management and expenditure of the funds and strict compliance with the Fiscal Management Act, which requires the Minister for Finance to regularly furnish the House with reports on budgetary expenditure.

“We expect the budget to be followed in the manner we agreed on in this House,” said Garsen MP Danson Mungatana as he supported the Bill. Two weeks ago, the Parliamentary Budget Committee urged the House to pass the Bill within the first four weeks of resumption of sittings as some ministries were cash- strapped.