MPs’ demands may derail Sh2trn 2015/2016 budget proposal

Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Mutava Musyimi. His committee was Monday trying to adjust the proposed Sh2 trillion budget to include fellow MPs’ demands to save it from being voted down. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  Jeremiah Kiplang'at

What you need to know:

  • National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee was Monday trying to adjust the proposed budget to include fellow MPs’ demands.
  • Some of the demands included the slashing of allocations for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Judicial Service Commission.
  • Last Wednesday, House Speaker Justin Muturi directed Mr Musyimi’s team to meet with all the committee chairmen to try to sort out the emerging concerns.
  • Musyimi dismissed allegations made in the House that he was too close to the Executive and was not willing to make proposals that would annoy President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Treasury’s quest for Sh2 trillion in the next financial year will be put to a tough test Wednesday as MPs vote on the huge budget amid fears that it could be shot down over failure to capture their demands.

The National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee was Monday trying to adjust the proposed budget to include fellow MPs’ demands to save it from being voted down.

The committee, chaired by Mbeere South MP Mutava Musyimi, tabled the Treasury’s budget estimates last Wednesday but they were rejected by lawmakers from both sides of the divide, forcing the committee to ask for more time to adjust them.

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Some of the demands included the slashing of allocations for the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the Judicial Service Commission.

The SRC wanted Sh922 million in the next financial year to carry out job evaluations but MPs had proposed about Sh250 million.

The committee opted for the commission’s proposal, ignoring that of the MPs.

CS DID NOT APPEAR BEFORE COMMITTEE

The lawmakers also said the Foreign Affairs ministry’s figure had been included in the estimates yet Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed had not appeared before the respective House committee to explain how the Sh14.5 billion would be used.

Last Wednesday, House Speaker Justin Muturi directed Mr Musyimi’s team to meet all the committee chairmen to try to sort out the emerging concerns before the report is brought back to the House this Wednesday.

He further suspended debate on the estimates upon on the request of Majority Leader Aden Duale and Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo to give room for consultations before the lawmakers vote on it.

Responding to the demands by members after meeting Treasury officials as directed by Mr Muturi, Mr Musyimi said the budget would face a deficit of Sh51 billion if all the demands by the committees were considered.

“We are staring at a deficit of Sh51 billion. I don’t think the country would want to see such a deficit. We have tried to make adjustments so as to avoid it,” said Mr Musyimi.

He dismissed allegations made in the House that he was too close to the Executive and was not willing to make proposals that would annoy President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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