Budget: Shot in arm for anti-graft, oversight agencies

The government has increased budgetary provisions for select anti-graft agencies in a boost to the war on corruption.

Estimates by the National Treasury approved by Members of Parliament show that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption has been allocated Sh4.1 billion, an increase of Sh210 million compared with the current financial year’s allocation.

To foster oversight of public expenditure, Sh8.9 billion has been allocated to the office of the Auditor General, and a further Sh740 million to the office of the Controller of Budget.

Allocations to the auditor general have gone up by Sh900 million, as the estimates for the current year amounted to Sh8.02 billion.

The budgetary allocation highlights the provisions for governance institutions including the Attorney General, office of parties’ registrar, and Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

Justin Muturi's office has been allocated Sh6.9 billion, coming at a time the Attorney General's office has been granted independence by a new law.

The office of the Director of Public Prosecution’s budget has, however, been reduced by Sh55 million, having been provided Sh4,007,520,000 compared with Sh4,063,000,000 this year.

According to Treasury data, the Office of Registrar of Political Parties has been allocated Sh2 billion, which is Sh800 million higher than this year’s budget.

IPOA, which checks the police service, has been allocated Sh1.1 billion in the estimates for the next fiscal year – an increase of Sh100 million.

Treasury has also allocated Sh661 million to the Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) while the National Police Service Commission has been provided Sh1.1 billion.

Teachers Service Commission has been granted Sh9 billion for administrative services while the National Land Commission will work with Sh2 billion.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, which is among the constitutional institutions, has been allocated Sh478 million.

Commission on Revenue Allocation, the agency which decides the revenue sharing formula for counties, has been allocated Sh413 million for next year.

Public Service Commission, which manages the state’s human resources, has been allocated Sh3.6 billion while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has been provided with Sh472 million.

SRC is the agency that sets and determines salaries and allowances for state officers.