Functions and mandate

Role of the Parliamentary Budget Office
The Parliamentary Budget Office is mandated under Section 10 of the Public Finance Management Act to:
(a) provide professional services in respect of budget, finance, and economic information to the committees of Parliament;
(b) prepare reports on budgetary projections and economic forecasts and make proposals to committees of Parliament responsible for budgetary matters;
(c) prepare analyses of specific issues, including financial risks posed by Government policies and activities to guide Parliament;
(d) consider budget proposals and economic trends and make recommendations to the relevant committee of Parliament with respect to those proposals and trends;
(e) establish and foster relationships with the National Treasury, county treasuries and other national and international organisations, with an interest in budgetary and socio-economic matters, as it considers appropriate, for the efficient and effective performance of its functions;
(f) subject to Article 35 of the Constitution, ensure that all reports and other documents produced by the Parliamentary Budget Office are prepared, published and publicized not later than fourteen days after production;

(g) report to the relevant committees of Parliament on any Bill that is submitted to Parliament that has an economic and financial impact, making reference to the fiscal responsibility principles and to the financial objectives set out in the relevant Budget Policy Statement, and
(h) propose, where necessary, alternative fiscal framework in respect of any financial year.

Other roles include to: -
(a) build county assemblies' capacity for budget analysis upon request;
(b) sponsor such national and international forums as it may consider necessary;
(c) study budget proposals and trends and where appropriate, suggest changes in the content or format of such proposals or trends;
(d) undertake, independently or in collaboration with any appropriate person or institution, any other study or activity likely to enhance its capacity to carry out its functions.