OKOA UCHUMI has called on President William Ruto to heed the voices of Kenyans, particularly the youth, by enacting a new budget that aligns with the country’s economic realities and constitutional provisions.
The group criticized President Ruto’s recent assent to the Appropriation Bill, labeling it a betrayal and an insult to the public. They argued that the government’s current spending plans far exceed the nation’s revenue capabilities, leading to an alarming deficit of over Ksh. 1 trillion for the fiscal year 2024/25. This deficit, they claim, will be converted into public debt, further burdening future generations.
OKOA UCHUMI emphasized the need for the Appropriation Act to be amended comprehensively, rather than through supplementary budgets, to adhere to Article 223(1) of the Constitution. They stressed that this amendment is crucial for ensuring fiscal responsibility and meeting the requirements of Article 201, which mandates prudent use of public funds.
Diana Gichengo, TISA Executive Director expressed concern over President Ruto’s establishment of a Presidential Task Force on Forensic Audit of Public Debt via Gazette Notice No. 5261 of 2024.
“This task force contravenes Article 229 of the Constitution, which assigns the responsibility of auditing public debt to the Office of the Auditor General. Only Parliament has the authority to request a forensic audit, as stipulated in Section 37 of the Public Audit Act”, Diana stated
Despite the government’s efforts to address public demands, OKOA UCHUMI pointed out that the administration has shown a lack of commitment to tackling corruption and revenue leakages. They cited a report from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, which estimates that Kenya loses Ksh. 608 billion annually to corruption, representing 7.8 percent of the country’s GDP.
OKOA UCHUMI made several demands to address these issues:
– Enact a New Appropriation Law
Parliament should pass a new budget that reflects the people’s wishes and complies with the Constitution, ideally based on zero-based budgeting.
– Forensic and Performance Audit
Parliament should request the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive audit of all public debt acquired since the 2010 Constitution’s promulgation.
– Budget Reductions
Further reduce budget allocations by Ksh. 119.5 billion in addition to the President’s proposed Ksh. 177 billion cuts.
– Rescind Task Force Appointment
President Ruto should retract the task force on public debt audit and allow the Auditor General to handle it.
– Respect Devolved Governance
Ensure that county governments receive adequate revenue and equal treatment in austerity measures.
– Fast-Track Corruption Prosecutions
The ODPP, EACC, Judiciary, and ARA should expedite corruption cases and enhance accountability.
OKOA UCHUMI urged the government to prioritize constitutional adherence and fiscal prudence over populism and convenience, warning that failure to do so would continue to undermine the country’s economic stability and the public’s trust in its leaders
