Thursday, 15 May, 2025
State departments seek Housing Committee's support on fy 2025/26 budget cuts
Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings. Thursday, May 15th 2025.
The Permanent Secretaries for the State Departments for Housing and Urban Development and Public Works have called on the National Assembly Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works to come to their rescue following budget cuts in the proposed Budget Estimates for FY 2025/26.
Appearing before the Hon. Johanna Ng'eno led Committee, Housing Permanent Secretary (PS), Mr. Charles Hinga decried underfunding in the recurrent vote and the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement (KISRIP) project.
"After settling mandatory expenses such as Utilities Kshs.15 Million, rent Kshs. 19199 million contracted guards and cleaning services Kshs. 128 Million and Nairobi Rivers Commission Kshs. 187 Million, the State Department remains with only Kshs. 99 million to carry out its mandate, which includes monitoring and evaluation exercises for the affordable housing units, which isn't enough," said PS Hinga.
To bridge the Department's gap, PS Hinga requested additional funding of Kshs. 4 Billion to cater for operations, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation activities and recruitment of 4,000 interns in addition to Kshs. 1.1 Billion for the construction of the Kangundo Road (Kamulu shopping Centre) - Ruai Wholesale Market Hub - Ruai Sewerage Link Road.
On his part, Public Works PS, Mr. Joel Arumonyang lamented the in-year budget cuts, noting, it has affected both the development and recurrent votes. He sought additional funding of Kshs. 1,686 Million to enable the State Department operate optimally.
"This department needs an enhanced allocation of Kshs. 336 Million in the recurrent vote, Kshs. 302 Million for recruitment of technical officers to be deployed in headquarters of all 47 counties, Kshs. 200 Million for the purchase of Motor Vehicles and Kshs. 850 for the construction of foot bridges jetties and sea walls," said PS Arumonyang.
SoToettle cases out of court amicably, members of the Committee urged PS Hinga to factor in arbitration clauses in the contractual agreements when engaging contractors.
Legislators also called for urgent finalisation of the Affordable Housing regulations, warning that the progress would be stalled without necessary legal framework.
"Even if you fast-track things, without the regulations, you won't go anywhere," said the Committee's Vice chairperson Hon. Rindikiri Mugambi.
To address recurring budget cuts in the Public Works Department Committee agreed to hold a meeting with both the National Treasury and Public Works.
Further, legislators advised the PS Arumonyang to seek partnership with Kenya Defence Forces to assist in building small bridges.
Despite numerous pleas by the State Departments and their agencies, the Committee's chairperson clarified the limitations of the Committee.
"This Committee doesn't have money to allocate you. We can only propose reallocations of GoGokunding and not Appropriations in Aid," stated Hon. Johanna Ng'eno
The Committee is expected to write and adopt its report on the 2025/26 Budget Estimates next week.