National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has been cautioned against taking the National Assembly mentality into his new role at the Treasury.
This is after the CS failed to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget to consider the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS).
BPS is a government policy document that sets out the broad strategic priorities and policy goals which guide the national and county governments in the preparation of budgets.
The BPS is a key government policy document that outlines strategic priorities and policy goals to guide both national and county budget preparations.
Senators Caution CS Mbadi Against Taking National Assembly Mentality into Treasury
During a meeting at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, March 11, Senators expressed dissatisfaction with Mbadi’s failure to appear before them, stating that they hoped he “had not carried forward the mentality of the National Assembly into the running of the Ministry.
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Mandera Senator Ali Roba, who chairs the committee, noted that they have had a good working relationship with the Treasury and have previously executed their mandates without any hitches from the exchequer.
“Unfortunately, we have not received a response from the National Treasury, which was supposed to be the last entity we engage with,” he said.
On his part, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale expressed concern, stating that he hopes CS John Mbadi will not become a victim of the “feel-good effect” that often comes with entering government.
“As a committee, we are completely blind to the broad-based government dynamics when discharging our mandate,” Khalwale added.
At the same time, members of the Finance Committee urged CS John Mbadi to recognize that the Senate holds a clear constitutional mandate.
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They emphasized that he should take the Finance and Budget Committee seriously, as its role is critical in delivering services to the people of Kenya.
Meanwhile, Mbadi was asked to appear before the Committee on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, to explain to the Committee why he failed to honour the invite.
Procedure of Approval of Budget Policy Statement
Section 25(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, Cap 412A, provides that the National Treasury shall submit to Parliament, including the Senate and the National Assembly, the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) on or before 15th February each year.
Pursuant to this provision, the National Treasury and Economic Planning submitted the 2025 Budget Policy Statement to Parliament on February 13, 2025, which was subsequently tabled in the Senate at its plenary sitting held on the same day.
Thereafter, and pursuant to Standing Orders 186 (4) of the Senate Standing Orders, the BPS was committed to each Standing Committee for the consideration and subsequent submission of their recommendations to the Finance Committee.
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