The parliamentary committee on budget has dropped its intention to have budgetary allocations for the National Security Intelligence Service be reduced by Sh3 billion. The committee has however raided coffers of several ministries with Treasury being the most affected.
The committee, which is chaired by Maragua MP Elias Mbau, has proposed that about Sh13 billion which will be saved be used to boost several sectors which it claims they had been ignored by Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta in his June budget. The areas include boosting food supply and employment of teachers.
Curiously, the budget committee has also recommended that the Akiwumi report, which proposed that the monthly salary of an MP be increased to Sh 1.1 million, be operationalised.
The committee also wants the Parliamentary Service Commission to introduce a Bill to amend the Parliamentary Service Pension Act to provide that MPs who have served for one term qualify for pension.
Presently, only those who have served for at least two terms qualify for pension. If the proposal is effected, the taxpayer will end up paying millions of shillings starting 2013 to cater for one-term MPs who will be knocked off during the 2012 general elections. The report was tabled on the floor of the House yesterday and it will be debated next week.
In the report, the committee wants Sh2 billion that the Treasury had set aside as budget reserves be diverted for other urgent matters. The committee has also recommended that a further Sh2 billion Treasury had allocated itself as cash for financial services also be diverted. Treasury will also see its budget on operating expenses be reduced by Sh250 million.
Also raided is the ministry of Foreign affairs where the committee has chopped off Sh 206 million meant for foreign travel and subsistence.Budget for printing, advertising and information supplies has been reduced by 50 percent netting an extra Sh1 billion.
The committee has proposed that allocations for hospitality supplies and services be cut by 25 percent to create a saving of another Sh1
billion. Budget for Office and General Supplies has also been cut to save Sh487 million.
billion. Budget for Office and General Supplies has also been cut to save Sh487 million.
The committee has further proposed that the allocation for purchase of police vehicles and ambulances be reduced by 50 percent to create Sh971 million. The MPs want Sh250 million which was set aside for grants to NGOs also be diverted. The committee also wants allocations for furniture, fittings, telephone, telex, facsimile and mobile services as well as courier services be reduced by Sh264 million.
Also to be raided will be the Gender, Children and Social Development ministry which will see Sh845 million meant for capital grants and
transfers be taken away.
transfers be taken away.
The committee has proposed that out of the cash which will be saved, Sh5 billion be used to permanently employ 18,060 intern teachers and to employ 10,000 additional ones.
To boost food security, the committee has recommended that Sh1.1 billion be added to the Strategic Grain Reserve for production of
locally grown cereals through NYS.
locally grown cereals through NYS.
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