Githae said the Budget Policy Statement is ready and will be presented to Parliament before the end of November this year/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 – Finance Minister Njeru Githae has assured Kenyans of a quick budget process that should be completed before the next general elections.
Githae said the Budget Policy Statement is ready and will be presented to Parliament before the end of November this year.
He added that the ministry will ensure all the stakeholders are involved to ensure a smooth process.
“Sector Working Groups are expected to fast-track the formulation of their proposals in good time to allow for inclusion in the Budget Policy Statement. We may have to also fast-track the Budget Estimates, because if the elections are in March, and then a rerun, there will be a big problem,” Githae said.
He added that the government will this time round be keen on ensuring that some ministries do not exaggerate their budgets at the expense of others or to give room for misuse of funds.
He said the ministries and various sectors should ask for money which they are sure of its full absorption and results evident.
“We now need to be objective. The days where funding was based on how vocal you are in power point presentations in conferences are gone. In the past there are some sectors that got away with huge allocations through causing tantrums and almost becoming a nuisance until we said, ‘give them what they want for us to have peace,” Githae said.
He also said the Treasury will not encourage ministries and various sectors calling for more budgetary allocations, after the budget is passed.
“Some people think that the Treasury has hidden money which is lying idle somewhere. I have been here for some months and I am still searching for the money. I want to be clear on this, please prioritise your budgets, no special funding will be considered,” he emphasised.
He said the ministry is also working with various stakeholders to come up with ways of reducing the recurrent expenditure.
The minister was speaking during the launch of the 2013/14 and 2015/16 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which is among other benefits, expected to increase efficiency in resource allocation and promote efficient delivery of services.
