The government has reduced the 2024-25 budget from Sh4.2 trillion to Sh3.9 trillion, a Sh273 billion cut.
The decision to review the initial amount contained in the Budget Policy Statement is informed by the fact that revenue targets for the year 2023-24 were not met.
According to the National Treasury, by the end of March 2024, total revenue was below target by Sh270 billon with ordinary revenue recording a shortfall of Sh255 billion.
Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u states: "To remain on course of the path for fiscal consolidation, there is a need to contain borrowing, and rationalise expenditure to sustainable levels."
While the country has tried to contain borrowing, not much has been done in respect to rationalising expenditure and cutting waste in government.
A look at the budget also shows that Kenya's recurrent expenditure, which in the 2024-25 budget has been allocated Sh1.5 trillion still far, outweighs the amount allocated to development at Sh724 billion.
The government must rationalise its blotted workforce, get rid of loss-making state corporations, clamp down on corruption and cut wastage.
Do we need to force through CAS positions? Must our CSs fly first class and be accompanied with a horde of assistants in their local and foreign trips? Should we continue holding trainings and workshops in expensive hotels yet the Kenya School of Government can host such events?
These are just some of the wasteful areas that the National Treasury must think of even as it cuts the budget.
Let us live within our means and ensure the allocated amounts are prudently used.
Quote of the day: "A prudent man should always follow in the path trodden by great men and imitate those who are most excellent."
Niccolò Machiavelli
The Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher and humanist was born on May 3, 1469
