Friday, 7 March, 2025
Housing Committee engages State Departments & Agencies on 2024/25 Supplementary Estimates II𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟔𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.
Members of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, led by the chairperson, Hon. Johanna Ng'eno, today engaged the State Departments and Agencies under its oversight regarding Supplementary Estimates No. 2 for FY 2024/25.
During the meeting, Housing and Urban Development Permanent Secretary (PS) Mr. Charles Hinga, appealed to the Committee for intervention on the proposed reduction of Kshs. 13.568.80 billion from the development budget.
"We respectively urge this Committee not to reduce the donor component, as the majority of these funds are conditional grants allocated to counties awaiting approval of the County Government Additional Allocation Bill (CGAA)," said PS Hinga.
PS Hinga also called for additional allocations to the National Housing Corporation (NHC) arguing that it operates as a commercial Semi Autonomous Stage Agency (SAGA).
On his part, the PS for Public Works, Mr. Joel Arumonyang, sought the Committee's support for increased funding to enable the department to fulfil its mandate effectively.
He highlighted the need for resources to conduct adequate stakeholder training and sort outstanding certificates.
However, the Committee challenged PS Arumonyang to draw a reasonable budget that would help turn around the state Department for Public Works for further deliberations with the Cabinet Secretary.