MPs shocked as PS skips budget session to attend Nanyuki retreat

By , May 20, 2025

Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi left MPs in shock after he proposed that his appearance before the House be pushed to the last week of May, when the timelines for the consideration of Budget estimates would have lapsed.

Kilemi opted to attend a retreat in Nanyuki rather than appear before the Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Committee, chaired by Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali.

The PS was expected to appear before the committee yesterday to explain his department’s revenue and expenditure estimates published by the National Treasury.

Kilemi was also expected to defend his department’s allocation for the 2025/26 Financial Year as well as outline its objectives.

A source from the ministry who did not want to be named confirmed that Kilemi was in Nanyuki attending a retreat on performance and targets.

His decision not to appear yesterday startled members, as the same PS last Thursday was a no-show, as he sent a letter claiming that he was out of the country.

Kilemi, through one of his aides, wrote to the committee, saying he was not available and that his meeting should be postponed to the last week of May, 2025.

Reads the letter: “Principal Secretary will be out of the country for some official duties (sic). We therefore wish to request for a reschedule to the last week of May 2025,” the May 12, 2025 letter by David K. Obonyo reads.

The letter was in response to a request from the National Assembly on May 6, 2025, requiring the PS to appear before MPs on May 13, 2025.

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had until yesterday to appear before committees to defend their budgets, which they will submit before the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC).

Shinali said it is unacceptable that a PS can opt to travel outside at such a critical time when matters to do with their budget are being deliberated on.

The MPs reminded Kilemi that the resources he has spent to travel were allocated in the last financial year and he risks not having more funds to enjoy such trips in future should he continue treating the committee in such a manner.

Said Shinali: “The worst of all this is those saying they want to come at the end of May, yet they know we have timelines. How is this even possible.”

Aldai MP and committee Vice Chairperson Marrianne Kitany sought to know whether the state department understands the budgeting process and whether they are aware of the consequences of their actions.

Vihiga Woman Representative Betarice Adgala accused the Kilemi of taking the committee for a ride yet the process they are currently conducting is a serious process.  

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