How Uhuru spent Sh55 billion in his last days in office

The law allows Treasury to spend, within 10 per cent range of a respective MDAs budget item, and seek approval later.

In Summary

• Of the Sh55 billion, Sh23 billion has already been spent by ministries, state departments and agencies.

• MPs are required to approve the supplementary estimates in line with Article 223 of the Constitution which provides for such expenditure.

President Uhuru Kenyatta inspecting guard of honor, his last, during inauguration of president elect William Ruto at Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022.
President Uhuru Kenyatta inspecting guard of honor, his last, during inauguration of president elect William Ruto at Kasarani Stadium on September 13, 2022.
Image: FILE

Treasury is seeking MPs approval of a Sh55 billion supplementary budget which includes monies spent by President Uhuru Kenyatta's  administration in the latter days.

Of the Sh55 billion, Sh23 billion has already been spent by ministries, state departments and agencies.

Another Sh16.6 billion went to fuel price subsidy, Sh11.4 billion for road construction projects, Sh8.2 billion for support to CBC, and Sh6.1 billion to support Telkom Kenya.

Uhuru’s administration also expended Sh4.5 billion for the unga subsidy, Sh3.5 billion for the Defence’s research hospital, and Sh3.8 billion to the office of the president.

MPs are required to approve the supplementary estimates in line with Article 223 of the Constitution which provides for such expenditure.

The law allows Treasury to spend, within 10 per cent range of a respective MDAs budget item, and seek approval later.

However, MPs and budget experts say they are concerned about the extra spending which they argue distorts the fiscal framework spelled in the Budget Policy Statement.

Just four months ago, the National Treasury asked the National Assembly to approve an additional Sh64 billion, of which a huge part was used to stabilise fuel prices.

This saw the budget for the financial year 2021-22 increase by Sh204 billion overall.

The request was made barely two months after MPs approved another supplementary budget.

WATCH: The latest videos from the Star