Budget 24-25: Parliament, Judiciary and investigative agencies get modest increase

 

The parliament of Kenya

The National Treasury has maintained or slightly increased budgetary allocations to parliament, judiciary, and investigative agencies to improve governance and sustain the fight against corrupt practices.

In the Budget Statement read on Thursday by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Parliament is earmarked to get Ksh 44.6 billion to enhance oversight and legislative roles.  This represents an increase of Ksh. 3 billion to Parliament considering it received Ksh 41.0 billion last year.

At the same time, the Judiciary got Ksh 24.7 billion to enable the administration of justice, which includes Ksh. 900 million for the construction and refurbishment of Courts; and Ksh 800 million for the automation of the Judiciary.

Last year, the National Treasury allocated Judiciary Ksh 23.2 billion meaning the Chief Justice Martha Koome-led institution walked away with an extra Ksh.1.5 billion this year.

In the budget statement, State agencies had their budgets intact or boosted slightly with Ksh 4.2 billion going to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission; Ksh 4.0 billion to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Ksh 6.9 billion to the State Law Office; and Ksh 8.7 billion for the Office of the Auditor General.

According to the Treasury CS, their budgets were untouched so they ran their operations smoothly and ensured war against impunity was not lost.

In the 2023-2024 budget, the Treasury allocated Ksh 3.9 billion to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission; Ksh 3.6 billion for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions; Ksh 8.0 billion for the Criminal Investigations Services; and Ksh 8.0 billion for the Office of the Auditor General.

By Eric Biegon