The National Assembly Public Investments Committee on Social Services Administration and Agriculture have proposed that the Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok  ensures full operationalisation and autonomy of the Refugee Appeals Board as spelled out in the Executive Order No. 1 of 2023. 

In a meeting with the State Department, the Committee chaired by Hon. Emmanuel Wangwe (Nabakholo), the PS was questioned on why budget allocation and expenditures under the Refugee Appeals Board was being audited together with the Ministries budget.

"We want to see the books of accounts of the Board audited independently from the Ministry, this will give the Office of the Auditor-General room to expedite their audit work effectively, they will be able to tell how money was spent, PS please allow the Board to operate independently", said Hon. Mary Wamaua (Maragua). 

PS Amb. Bitok in his response assured the Committee that by the start of the next financial year, the Board will have been given all the necessary support to run all its operations independently from his State Department. He says this will allow room for accountability and autonomy.