Friday, 7 March, 2025
Regional Development Committee engages the State Departments for Devolution and the ASALs and Regional Development on Supplementary Estimates No.2 for FY 2024/2025๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ญ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ง, ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก, ๐๐๐๐
The Regional Development Committee, Chaired by Hon. Peter Lokachapong, (Sigor), has today convened to consider the proposed Supplementary Estimates No. 2 for FY 2024/2025.
With an overall budget of Kshs. 4.1 billion, PS State Department for Devolution Ms. Teresia Mbaika, informed the Committee that as at 31st December, 2024, the Ministry had an overall absorption rate of 29% with recurrent expenditure at 37% while development expenditure taking 25%.
PS Mbaika however elaborated that the slow absorption of development expenditure was due to delay in funds disbursed to Counties as a result of the delay in the passage of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill (CGAAB).
According to a progress report submitted by the PS, the State Department has made significant strides in implementing key governance and devolution initiatives during the 2024/25 financial year. They include implementing the Nairobi Recovery Plan, coordinating climate initiatives, and completing the identification and verification of assets and liabilities related to 14 devolved functions across 47 counties. The State Department also developed Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) regulations, resolving 27 disputes using ADR.
Indicating a reduction of Kshs. 1.1 billion under the development expenditure of the State Department, the PS noted that this will negatively affect the implementation of level 1 of the Kenya Devolution Support Programme II (KDSP II) programme which involves disbursement of funds to counties for institutional performance and capacity building.
On the other hand, the PS for the ASALs and Regional Development, Mr. Kello Harsama, told the Committee that the State Department had a total budget of Kshs. 8.7 billion with Kshs. 4.81 billion for recurrent expenditure and Kshs. 3.93 billion for development expenditure.
PS Kello indicated that under the Supplementary Estimates No.2, the State Department's budget is proposed to be revised to Kshs. 12.48 billion with recurrent expenditure having an allocation of Kshs. 8.41 billion and Kshs. 4.08 billion meant for development.
โThe increased allocation in recurrent expenditure is meant to cater for emergency relief and rehabilitation interventionsโ, noted Ps. Kello.
Hon. Kazungu Tungule (Ganze) raised concerns about the status of food distribution in Ganze, seeking clarity on the ongoing efforts to address food insecurity in the region. He emphasized the need for transparency and efficiency in distributing relief supplies to ensure vulnerable households receive adequate support.
The Chairperson sought to know the way forward with the recent Cabinet resolution regarding the dissolution of the six regional development authorities.
โItโs important that you observe Article 223 on financial operations within the Authorityโ, guided Hon. Lochakapong.
PS Kello indicated that the State Department was looking for ways for Authorities to be self-sustaining and encouraging those not able to cater for their needs to merge for effective operations.