Members of Parliament have been asked by National Treasury acting Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani, to approve Sh1 billion for printing Huduma Namba ID cards. This made MPs curious in what appeared like wastage of public funds by the Treasury.
The Huduma Namba Project has already used up Sh 7.7 billion.
Budget and Appropriation Committee chair, Kimani Ichung'wa said that it is puzzling that the government is looking for extra cash yet the results of the exercise were not made public.
The MP's also raised concerns on the new projects that are being started yet the country struggles to raise funds for projects which are already budgeted for. They questioned Yatani over the money allocated to Naivasha Special Zone (Sh 6.9 billion) and Naivasha Industrial Park (Sh 4.4 billion) claiming that it will require additional Sh 355 million from Public Works.
Mark Nyamita, Uriri MP, demanded equal distribution of resources to all regions. He advised the committee to reject the budget estimate unless it is re-distributed to other parts.
“It will be unfair to other parts of the country to have this kind of money spent in one area and when it comes to servicing the loan all Kenyans are required to carry the financial burden,” said Nyamita.
However, Yatani defended the budget on grounds that the expenditures will be catered for by the increase in development partners funding various projects and an increase in local appropriation in Aid (AiA) of Sh 1.7 billion.
He also said that the Treasury has Sh 78.7 billion which was the surpluses in various state corporations.
“This also covers part of the shortfall arising from the downward revision in revenues,” said the CS.
Treasury has reported a collection of Sh 559.2 billion against the aimed Sh 624.9 billion by end of October.