This archive report was first published on 15 September 2019.
Published on September 15, 2019, the National Treasury has once again announced measures to cut allocations for non-essential items such as travel, hospitality, and car services, which have been consuming billions of shillings annually.
According to the Treasury, such expenditures rose sharply in the year to June last year, reaching Sh30 billion, up from Sh18 billion in the last five years.
Acting Treasury Cabinet Secretary has warned that the cuts on such spending will be 'brutal, sustained, and with no compromise', but past attempts at austerity measures have been half-hearted.
It is essential for the CS to audit why the budgets have been rising and what needs to be done to contain the bill. Furthermore, he should explain why taxpayers are not seeing action being taken against departments and officials who have routinely been going against the policy direction.
Only promises that are sure to be implemented should be made, and if committed, the CS should campaign for the implementation of past pledges.
