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| Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah |
The senator, who expressed his presidential ambitions in the upcoming elections, explained that his administration would strictly be based on the budget to avoid heavy borrowing from domestic and global financial institutions.
He castigated political leaders for making ‘big’ promises when touring the country without adhering to the budget estimates.
“A president should not walk into a project and dictate Ksh200 million to be poured here, is it in the budget? The budget must be restored as the primary tool of governance in the country,” he told Spice FM.
To effect this, Senator Omtatah noted that the Treasury should be established as an independent institution and be run by experts and not politicians.
He said that the Minister for Finance would only be tasked to make policies and not deal with public funds.
“Treasury has to be established as an independent institution. It needs to be established like the Central Bank of Kenya, run by experts and politicians have no access to public money,” Omtatah noted.
“We should separate the Treasury from the Minister of Finance. The treasurer boss should be autonomous.”
While expressing his interest to vie in 2027, Omtatah formed a 10-member committee to assess his candidacy. The Committee, according to the senator, would be required to provide a report within 18 months.
“The committee is mainly made up of volunteers. I’ve got the capacity to do(fund their activities) from my small businesses here and there. They have been given 18 months but they can report earlier,” he remarked.
During the interview, he outlined key agendas in his presidential campaign which include enforcing the rule of law, enhancing fiscal discipline, industrialization and food security, health and education.
He also noted that those involved in graft would be required to surrender the funds should his presidential ambitions come to reality.
Omtatah, however, rejected the term ‘messiah’ and noted that his bid is driven by the desire to see Kenyans receive quality services.
“My desire is to be a good citizen and a good citizen requires good service. My drive is to see that this country provides service that the citizens of Kenya deserve,” he said.
By Brian Kimani