The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has warned of the impact of the cost of foreign and domestic travels by government officials.
Speaking while appearing before the National Assembly Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations on Wednesday, September 20, Nyakang’o noted that there was need to control that expenditure.
According to her, this is possible only if the government controls travel by reducing the number of trips, the frequency of trips and the size of delegations traveling.
The controller of budget was tasked with explaining why there was low absorption in various sectors despite the public debt being high.
She noted that they were experiencing several challenges in the implementation of the 2023/2024 Budget both at the National level and the Counties.
Controller of Budget Gives Other Challenges
Further, she revealed that there was a decline in development expenditure, pending bills and the late submission of financial reports.
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Additionally, she stated that there was a delay in uploading Budget and annual procurement plans and delays in the release of the equitable share by the National Assembly.
Controller of Budget Gives Other Recommendations
Nyakang’o also recommended that funds borrowed by the government are used for development instead of recurrent expenditure.
Development expenditures are used in acquiring fixed assets in a country while recurrent expenditures are spent on goods and services like salaries, wages and subsidies.
Further recommendations included the inclusion of crucial institutions in Public Finance Management in the pending Bills verification Committee and the enhancement of efficiency in tax administration.
Nyakang’o noted that if implemented the recommendations will eliminate tax evasion and widen tax base.
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Foreign Travel Burden
By July 2023, President William Ruto had spent Ksh541 million on domestic and international travel for the same period compared to retired President uhuru Kenyatta’s Ksh218.3 million, according to the controller of budget.
Ruto is currently on a trip to the United States where he is holding a series of meetings with international leaders and CEOs.
He is also attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly sessions in New York accompanied by the First Lady Rachel Ruto and other government officials.
His visit according to a statement by State House Kenya, aims to enhance investment opportunities and trade relations with the Unites States and other nations.
