Wednesday, 5 March, 2025
Senate Justice Committee reviews the 2025 Budget Policy Statement๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก, ๐๐๐๐
The Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights (JLAHRC) held a virtual meeting today, chaired by Vice Chair Veronica Maina, to scrutinize the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS). The session focused on assessing the budgetary allocations for entities within its purview, ensuring adequate funding for justice, governance and human rights institutions.
The BPS serves as a critical financial document that outlines the government's economic and fiscal priorities. This year's statement, the third under the Kenya Kwanza administration, is centred on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). It aims to enhance economic growth, strengthen governance, and improve the efficiency of public spending. The total budgetary expenditure for FY 2025/26 is projected at Ksh 4.26 trillion, including a fiscal deficit of Ksh 831 billion. Despite an increase in overall allocations, members raised concerns over inadequate funding for key sectors, including the Judiciary.
Senator Tom Ojienda questioned the emphasis on legal fees in the BPS, arguing that it created a misleading perception. "Why is the statement emphasizing legal fees so much? Other services and items are procured and should receive similar attention. This approach makes it seem like lawyers are being paid without providing services," he said. He further called for accountability in handling pending bills and pension deductions. "We should summon governors to present a framework for settling these bills. They must be held responsible for unremitted pension contributions."
Senator Raphael Chimera raised concerns about the budget deficit, noting that while the total projected expenditure is Ksh 4.26 trillion, only Ksh 3.43 trillion is available, leaving a shortfall of Ksh 831 billion. "How do we intend to bridge this gap without increasing the national debt burden?" he asked. He also pointed out that the Judiciary had received only 0.6% of the total budget despite the numerous stalled projects across the country. "There are many stalled Judiciary projects across the country. They should not have been underfunded," he stated.
Vice Chair Veronica Maina reassured members that their concerns would be considered in the final deliberations. "Give your views without fear; this BPS is not cast in stone. Let's challenge the norm and improve this document," she asserted.
Joining Senator Veronica Maina in the meeting were Senators Tom Ojienda, Okiya Omtatah, Raphael Chimera, and Crystal Asige. Their recommendations and concerns will be submitted to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget. The final budget will incorporate these insights to enhance governance and fiscal accountability.