The Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee considers the Supplementary II Estimates for fy 2024/25

The Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee considers the Supplementary II Estimates for fy 2024/25

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

The Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee chaired by Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) has met today with the State Departments of Irrigation, Water, and Sanitation and Blue Economy and Fisheries over the FY 2024/25 Supplementary II Estimates. 

The Principal Secretary (PS) for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, presented before the committee a list of capital projects affected by the Government of Kenya budget rationalization totalling Kshs.1.5 billion, adding that the budget cuts will result in pending bills and delayed completion of works. 

"The State Department outputs and performance targets of Financial Year 2024/25 will not change as a result of this proposed Estimates mainly because contracted capital works will continue as per the contractual obligations but will eventually result in cost overruns, slow work progress, pending bills and eventual court obligations," he said. 

In light of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Development project, Hon. Bowen questioned the contractual terms of the companies involved in the project. 

"As a committee, part of our mandate is to oversight. As of now, we are just relying on the information that you are telling us about this contract and the terms. When should we expect you to present that contract before us?" asked Hon. Bowen. 

In response, PS Kimotho promised to deliver the contract next week, and added that the project was awarded to two entities; IRRICO International which has completed a reservoir for water storage of 450,000 cubic meters, that will be used by SELU Ltd to conduct food production on 20,000 acres as approved by the Public Private Partnership directorate. 

He added that the project had a total expenditure and commitment as at 28th February 2025 of Kshs. 750 million, with the revised estimates for FY 2024/25 allocating Kshs. 500 million, leaving a balance of Kshs. 250 million, yet the contractor has completed the work. This, he said, will result to a pending bill. 

PS Kimotho also shared the progress, including the shift from the diesel irrigation project for Bura irrigation to gravity-fed irrigation, increasing the area under irrigation from 6,000 acres to 25,000 acres, while Lower Kuja has increased irrigation from 600 acres to 1,145 acres. 

He further noted that the Mwache Dam project which is 24% complete, has a budget increase of Kshs. 600 million, mainly for the compensation of landowners to allow the construction of the main dam. 

The PS, Water and Sanitation, Mr. Julius Korir, while appearing before the Committee, noted that the Supplementary Estimates II has been revised from Kshs. 49.841 billion to Kshs. 27.843 billion, resulting in to budget reduction of Kshs. 21.997 billion. 

"Hon. Members, this reduction will adversely affect the implementation of water supply infrastructure and sanitation projects due to lack of adequate funds for land compensation, acquisition of way-leaves, and last mile connectivity of water and sanitation services," submitted Mr. Korir 

On his part, the Chief Finance Officer of the State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr. Samwel Wamwea, appreciated the proposed increase in Supplementary II Estimates by Kshs. 2.368 billion, comprising Kshs. 2.937 billion for recurrent expenditures and Kshs. 9.771 billion development expenditures, further apprising Members how the funds will be allocated to the various SAGAs. 

The Committee shall draft a report drawn from the presentations, and present the recommendations before the Liaison Committee.