Your budget priorities are wrong, House committee tells Water ministry
By Anthony.Mwangi, May 23, 2023MPs have raised concern over huge allocations to monitoring and evaluation at the Ministry of Water, questioning the necessity.
The members of the Blue Economy Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the overall allocation of funds to projects under the ministry that not only lack a clear purpose but could be better utilised for other initiatives that would directly impact the lives of Kenyans.
Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Kiprono Rono, however, argued that the Ministry will adhere to its budget limits and find a suitable method to allocate funds to essential projects.
“Why are you allocating Sh75 million for monitoring and evaluation of projects, yet you have sufficient staff and they should be more than competent to carry out that role?” posed Paul Nzengu (Mwingi North).
The matter arose during the ministry’s presentation to the departmental committee of its Budget estimates for the year 2023/24.
Committee chair David Bowen (Marakwet East) questioned the discrepancies in the allocation of funds to different departments in the ministry.
They singled out the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) which was allocated Sh125 million but only Sh60 million was recorded in the Budget estimates. The MPs noted that although the institution has a significant history of producing competent water engineers, its reputation had been lost due to mismanagement.
“KEWI needs to be audited, it’s one of the best institutions in the country but its future is in jeopardy,” said Nzengu (pictured).
In her response, Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome told the committee that her ministry was aware of the “needle in the haystack” but they are trying to mitigate measures to curb the adversity.