President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday issued a directive freezing all new government projects until those that are ongoing are completed.
The President issued the directive to all government accounting officers whom he warned would be held responsible if they sanction new projects without express authority from the National Treasury.
The directive is aimed at stopping wastage of resources and the habit of government agencies abandoning incomplete projects before jumping onto others.
[caption caption="Uhuru Kenyatta addressing the governors"]
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“There will be no new projects that will be embarked on until you complete those that are ongoing,” mentioned Uhuru while speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The President indicated projects that might be exempt from the freeze will only be those directly aligned to the Big Four Agenda but even then, there must be a written authorization from the National Treasury.
“Even if new projects are aligned to the Big Four they cannot be started without express authority from CS or PS of the National Treasury,” stated President Kenyatta.
He warned that government officials who embark on new projects before finishing ongoing initiatives without authorisation will be held responsible.
Uhuru announced that the Government will soon launch a new internet portal where all procurements will be publicised.
All procurements, tenders and contracts will be advertised on the portal to create transparency in order to safeguard public resources from theft.
“All procurement officers have been taken through the operations of the portal and they have given their feedback. The portal will be launched soon,” the Head of State affirmed.
The portal will help create accountability because Kenyans will be able to see the processes followed in the awarding of tenders.
[caption caption="DP William Ruto launching a road project in Nyeri"]
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The Head of State urged the officers to know that Kenyans expect them to be guardians of public resources and assured Kenyans that the renewed war against corruption will go on.
Further, the President told all those who act within the law that there should be nothing to fear.
