State House Nairobi's budget is set to be reduced by Ksh2.1 billion following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.
In recurrent supplementary budget estimates tabled by the National Treasury, budget sectors such as maintenance and operations will experience major cuts.
The highest cut will be effected on the operating expenses vote as the budget was slashed by Ksh1,435,343,130.
On the other hand, the budget for domestic travel, subsistence, and other transportation costs was reduced from Ksh401,714,600 to Ksh200,857,300. This sums to a Ksh200,857,300 reduction.
Regarding the foreign travel budget, the Treasury proposed to have the new allocation set at Ksh5,341,040 from the previous estimates of Ksh6,676,300. This is a reduction of 1,335,260.
Additionally, the Treasury proposed major budget cuts set aside for the hospitality of guests at the State House.
From the initial estimate of Ksh700,592,970, the house on the hill will receive Ksh350,296,485 should the new estimates be approved by Parliament.
Therefore, the hospitality budget will witness a cut amounting to Ksh350 million.
Other cuts will affect training expenses (Ksh27,201,700 to Ksh21,761,360), routine maintenance (Ksh44,393,900 to Ksh28,922,550) and communication supplies (Ksh76,522,915 - Ksh61,218,332).
The budget for the purchase of office, household furniture and institutional equipment witnessed a 100 per cent budget cut amounting to Ksh85.2 million.
Following the tabling of the new estimates the Budget Committee of the National Assembly is expected to conduct public participation before a report is tabled in parliament.
"It is notified to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public that, the Budget and Appropriations Committee is required to guide the process, seek public views and report to the House on or before Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to enable the House to subsequently consider the Supplementary Estimates and the Supplementary Appropriation legislation so as to give effect to the Revised Fiscal Framework and the proposed expenditure reductions," Speaker Moses Wetangula noted.
