ASAL State Department decries budget cuts, warns of hampered programme implementation

Kello Harsama, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development protested budget cuts on Thursday, claiming they hampered programme implementation.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Regional Development to submit the State Department's proposal for supplementary No.2 Financial Year (FY)2023/25 budget and FY 2024/25 Annual Estimates, Harsama, expressed concern over a 40.71 per cent reduction, as he expected an allocation of Sh16.99 billion but only received Sh10.077 billion.

He also highlighted that the projected FY 2024/25 budget includes a 56 per cent reduction in recurrent expenditure compared to the approved Budget Policy Statement.

He explained to the committee on inclusion in the supplementary No.2 proposal, allocation of Sh5.4 billion for Article 223 expenditure under the relief and rehabilitation department that he said was intended to provide relief assistance, such as food, medicine and tents for the flood victims in the country.

The PS also tabled a breakdown of pending bills amounting to Sh3 billion and key areas that were underfunded in the estimates.

He appealed for prioritisation of funding for the 5 Billion Fruit Tree Programme and also presented a list of stalled projects that were seeking funding interventions.

"Among other projects, the implantation of the milk processing plant in Wundanyi implemented by the Coast Development Authority requires Sh42 million," he told the committee.

Harsama assured the committee that the state department for ASALs and Regional Development was focused on building resilience through the design and support implementation of livelihood diversification programmes to ensure that communities became self-reliant, adding that the ASALs area is the next frontier for food production.

The Committee, chaired by Sigor MP, Peter Lochakapong, scrutinised the submissions made by the Principal Secretary and expressed concern about the budget cut on the recurrent expenditure saying it would hurt employees' emoluments.

The committee acknowledged the progress made on some projects and raised concerns about underutilised assets, such as the Ultra-Modern Processing equipment at the Rice Mill processing plant under the Lake Basin Development.

In a quick rejoinder, the PS informed the committee about a proposal made to the Treasury for further funding to optimise the utilisation of the Rice Mill.

The committee also commended the department for progress made on multi-million projects including the Drought Mitigation and Flood Control initiative.

The members further called for prudent use of public resources and engagement in Public-Private Partnerships to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

"As a committee, we note the progress you have made in establishing humanitarian projects in various regions in the country, however, we also want to ensure the prudent use of public funds," said Lochakapong.

The committee called for a breakdown of the identified block figures by today for consideration by the committee.

Members present during the session included Kombe Harrison, Nabulindo Peter, Cherorot Kimutai, Khamis Chome, Paul Abuor, Maj Rtd Dekow M Barrow and Yaqub Adow Farah.