•Interior PS Karanja Kibicho asked Security Committee to recommend the requests for funding.
•Also not provided is money for the replacement of ageing Presidential Escort Unit vehicles.
Image: CYRUS OMBATI
The Ministry of Interior is seeking Sh8.9 billion to fund security operations related to the August 9 general election.
The details emerged when the ministry appeared before the National Assembly's Security Committee to defend its budget proposals in the supplementary budget.
Overall, the giant ministry has a budget hole of Sh31.3 billion in the current 2021-2022 budget.
Appearing before the committee on Wednesday, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said more allocations will enable them address security issues ahead of the polls.
Of the Sh8.9 billion for election operations, Sh3 billion will go towards funding the operations of national government administrative officers (NGAOs).
NGAOs include county and subcounty commissioners as well as chiefs and their assistants.
At least Sh5.7 billion is to go to the National Police Service for election preparedness while Sh278 million is to go to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
The ministry has also bemoaned a shortfall of Sh5.2 billion for the recruitment of 5,000 police officers amid concerns the listing has not happened in many years.
MPs have also been asked to recommend Sh300 million for the operationalisation of newly gazetted national government administrative offices.
The ministry is also grappling with a further Sh500 million for putting newly gazetted police stations to use, some of which are part of the election security plan.
Kibicho further revealed to the Peter Mwathi-led committee that the ministry is underfunded to the tune of Sh2.5 billion for police uniforms and assorted clothing.
In the supplementary estimates that informed the meeting, the ministry has been given an additional Sh1.3 billion to bolster police operations during the electioneering period.
The ministry has also requested Sh1.2 billion for rollout of the National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) popularly known as Huduma Namba.
Also sought is Sh2 billion for equipping the forensic laboratory whose construction at the DCI headquarters in Nairobi was completed last year.
The PS reported that the laboratory was 85 per cent complete and the additional funding would see it put to use to boost fight against crime.
Kibicho also wants MPs to provide Sh582 million for the replacement of aging vehicles in the presidential escort unit fleet.
Connected to the request is that of Sh429 million for repairs and maintenance of motor vehicles, motor cycles, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAPs) and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) trucks.
The PS also reported they have no funding for fuels and lubricants for motor vehicles used at the Interior ministry headquarters that are not under the lease programme.
The police further require at least Sh5.8 billion for plugging the budget shortfall for the national police service life cover for the current financial year.
Interior is also grappling with a Sh574 million pending bill in respect of group life cover for police officers and other security agencies under its jurisdiction.
The Ministry is also looking for Sh500 million to support multiagency operations – most conducted by several security agencies in war against graft and counterfeits.
Kibicho further reported underfunding in respect of the national secure communications network and surveillance system – CCTV in major towns, to the tune of Sh538 million.
Also not provided is Sh650 million for the completion of Miritini Rehabilitation Centre and Sh200 million to bolster the fight against drugs and substance abuse.
The police are also experiencing shortages with cash for security roads and airstrips to the tune of Sh200 million.
Also not provided is Sh121 million the ministry requires for recruitment of additional officers to be attached to National Crime Research Centre.
Kibicho further wants MPs to recommend Sh100 million for digitisation of immigration records and Sh150 to support NTSA services at Huduma Centres.
The government chemist, the budget request reveals, is also in dire need of Sh50 million for analytical equipment while NGAO officers are yet to get Sh84 million for special authorities to incur expenditure (AIEs).
Interior is one of the heavily funded ministries having been allocated Sh130 billion in the current financial year. Kenya’s security budget is in excess of Sh330 billion.
The ministry joins the likes of IEBC, EACC, and DPP which have decried non-provision of resources for polls management.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)