The National Assembly Committee on Budget & Appropriations chaired by Hon. Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu)  has focused on the misappropriation of funds by State Agencies during the 2023/24 Budget Estimate scrutiny meeting with Departmental Committees on Finance and National Planning and Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation chairpersons, and the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).

In his remarks, Hon. Nyoro said that the Budget and Appropriations Committee’s role in the Budget making process is well enshrined in Section 43 of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, (2012).

“If a Principal Secretary (PS) has the powers to make, pass and implement their budget, then there is no need for the Budget Committee to do the same. Let him proceed and do it,” said Hon. Nyoro.

in addition, Hon. Nyoro asked Hon. Kimani Kuria (Chairperson, Finance & National Planning Committee), to shed light on the allegations of corruption at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the strategy put in place to ensure zero tolerance on the same.

In his response, Hon. Kuria noted that his Committee carried out an inquiry on Tax expenditure for the last five years and established that Kshs 629 billion had been irregularly spent. This amount is inclusive of exemptions, abandonments, and remissions.

Hon. Kuria apprised the Budget Committee of the recommendation by the Committee on Finance and National Planning on the establishment of an elaborate computer system to help get rid of corruption cases in the Authority. He further stated that the compiled report on corruption at KRA will be tabled upon resumption of the House.