A shortage of technical staff is posing a challenge for the State Department for Public Works, the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works chaired by Hon. Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr) has been told.

The Principal Secretary, Mr. Joel Arumonyang, who appeared before the Committee to shed light on affordable housing projects in the country , told Members that the scarcity of technical personnel has created challenges in fulfilling the department's responsibilities.

The forum for the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices has called for strategic planning of fiscal structures as a means to restore sustainability as world economies continue to be hit by uncertainties.

 Cognizant that many countries have seen a decline in the state of public finances over the past few years as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and economic instabilities, the forum elected to focus on practical strategies for managing public debt and fiscal sustainability in times of uncertainty.

The National Assembly Departmental Committee has expressed reservations regarding a decision made by the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to adjust the construction cost of the new Githurai market in Kiambu by close to Kshs.200 million.

The Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works, Chaired by Hon. Johana Ngeno (Emurua Dikirr), held discussions with Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary, Mr. Charles Hinga where they sought explanation for the alteration of the project cost from the initial Sh827.170 million to Kshs1.026 billion.

Economists, fiscal analysts, scholars and development partners have converged in Mombasa for the the 6th Annual Conference for the African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices (AN-PBO).

The conference themed “The role of PBOs in African Parliaments Fiscal Oversight; Contribution to the African Development Agenda”, is hosted by the Parliament of Kenya and has brought together delegates from 15 Parliamentary Budget offices across Africa and a number of development partners.

Members of the National Assembly Departmental Committee have received assurance from the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu that no university will turn away any first year Government-sponsored student over lack of fees when the institutions of higher learning reopen next week. 

The CS appeared before the Committee led by the  Vice-Chairperson Hon.  Malulu Injendi ( Malava), to shed light on the new university funding model.

The Cabinet Secretary  Interior and Administration of National Government, Prof Kithure Kindiki, has assured the departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that peace has been restored in the six North Rift counties that were declared as disturbed.