Sunday, February 25, 2024 

The Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works, chaired by Hon. Johana Ng'eno (Emurua Dikirr), held a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Hon. Alice Wahome, and the Principal Secretary for Public Works, Mr. Joel Arumonyang, to discuss the 2024 Budget Policy Statement.

According to the submissions, the ceiling for the State Department for Public Works is Kshs.4.9 billion, which will be allocated towards improving 62 pedestrian access projects and footbridges.

In her submission, CS Wahome told the Committee that the State Department of Public Works is facing severe underfunding.

"We are grossly underfunded, and our development budget is extremely limited," said Hon. Wahome.

Members agreed with the CS and said that the State Department is substantially underfunded and suffers staff shortages, which they said is a major obstacle.

According to PS Arumonyang the State Department has only 450 officers serving the entire nation. However, he told the Committee that they were working towards expanding their workforce.

"The State Department is handicapped by chronic underfunding. How will you be able to oversee the numerous Government projects?" Vice Chairperson, Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi asked.

In response, CS Wahome appealed for increased allocations to establish County Public Works Offices.

"The creation of County Public Works Offices is crucial to strengthen our efforts in the Affordable Housing sector," CS Wahome said.