Budget Committee chair lauds process ahead Mbadi’s big day

Parliament’s budget committee has the task of crafting an expenditure that meets the wishes of the public and the State’s economic and political agenda, within revenues of Sh3.3 trillion, which excludes borrowings.

We spoke to Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, the Chairperson of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) on the wishes of the public, the balancing of the books and the restless Gen Zs, who last year stormed Parliament in deadly protests and forced President William Ruto to abandon tax hikes worth Sh346 billion.

As the chair of the Budget Committee, how do you intend to restore public confidence in Parliament’s ability to represent the people’s interests after last year’s dramatic protests and public outrage?

Last year, the crisis was about taxation. Unfortunately, the taxes were hiked without regard to the voices of the people. For now, we are aiming at living within our means, as there are no outrageous tax proposals to finance the Sh4.2 trillion proposed budget.

Unlike the collapsed Finance Bill 2024 that had projected to raise Sh346 billion in additional revenue to finance this fiscal year’s budget, the Finance Bill 2025 seeks to raise about Sh25 billion.

This is a clear indication that we will not stretch our hands beyond their reach, therefore they should expect no punitive taxation regime in the next financial year. With these measures, we are demonstrating to Kenyans the need to build confidence in us.

What specific steps will you take within Parliament to ensure that MPs are genuinely reflecting the views and concerns raised during public participation, rather than rubber-stamping the Executive’s proposals?

As a matter of fact, it is the National Assembly doing the budget unlike in the past when the Executive-driven budget would be presented to parliament for rubber stamping. This time things are different...there are of course consultations between the National Assembly and the National Treasury.

These consultations must be for the interest of the people and not parliament or the Executive. Many of the National Treasury proposals that were contained in the estimates were amended by the MPs through their respective committees as approved by the BAC.

For instance, the National Treasury did not include the examination administration and invigilation funds in the budget.

The National Treasury did not also include funds for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) workers. But to ensure parents and guardians are cushioned, we made sure that the examination and UHC workers’ funds are included in the budget. Generally, it’s a budget that meets the aspirations of Kenyans.

How will you navigate the political pressures from both the government and opposition, to ensure the budget process remains transparent, inclusive and accountable to the Kenyan people?

This year’s budget process has been very consultative. We did this deliberately so that it conforms to the dictates of the Constitution and the law- the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act- as well as to meet the expectation of Kenyans who presented their views on the estimates, through our departmental committees.

In fact, we have engaged all the stakeholders including Raila Odinga- and we have received support far and wide.

In light of last year’s events, what mechanisms are in place to guarantee that Parliament is not just a procedural stop for the budget, but a true forum for national debate and consensus-building?

Last year’s process was marked by some bit of arrogance from the National Assembly. We processed the Finance Bill without taking the views of Kenyans who were opposed to its punitive taxation regime.

This time, things are different. I am sure Kenyans have seen the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi taking his time to sensitize Kenyans on the contents of the Bill while articulating the government’s agenda to make things work.

On our part as MPs, we do not want to portray parliament as a silo. We have engaged in a conversation with Kenyans on what needs to be done while living within our means.

We are playing no cards under the table. Everything is in the open for Kenyans to see, embrace and own it so that this country realizes its development agenda.

How prepared are you, as Budget Committee chair, to challenge or amend proposals from the Treasury that may not align with the priorities or welfare of ordinary Kenyans?

We have already done this at the departmental committee level as approved by the BAC. We have taken a promise that this budget must be people centric and we are not ready to budge. We will do all that is necessary for the interests of the people and the country.

What assurances can you give that the voices of marginalised communities will be heard and acted upon during the parliamentary budget debates?

All regions, in their unique economic aspirations, have been taken care of.

For instance, in Tana River among other areas where infrastructure is a big problem, we have made an undertaking to ensure that they also get covered and realise their potential, so that we open the country to all manner of opportunities.

We are doing the same across the country because it is not our intention to leave other areas behind. We all pay taxes as Kenyans and every region in the country must enjoy the test of the pastry.

How will you ensure that the budget process in Parliament is shielded from undue influence, whether from powerful interest groups or political elites, and remains focused on the public good?

So far, there has been no interference in the current process. The buzzword has been consultation and more consultations for the good of the people regardless of their ethnic extraction or political affiliation. It is about the people.

This means that even in parliament, as we engage in such a national calling, we cannot fail to talk to one another.

Budget-making is a tedious negotiation that involves give and take but ultimately, the interests of the people remain a constant, the guiding principle to arriving at what is desirable to the country.

Parliament will not leave to chance, the vision and mission of Kenyans. We have to engage because running a country is a collective obligation that involves all Kenyans.

Given the heightened political tensions, what strategies do you have to foster constructive dialogue and avoid the kind of polarisation that led to last year’s unrest?

What I fear and I want to warn Kenyans against, is the use of propaganda to advance cheap political interests. Yes, some arrests have been made specifically in regards to the budget and its financing.

But I want to believe there is a basis because we are guided by the rule of law. It is unnecessary to propagate falsehoods so as to attain a selfish political interest. Let’s give credit where it's due. If something is good for the country, acknowledge it.

If something is bad, I mean, call it out! You will be within your constitutionally guaranteed rights.

But where people openly engage in misinformation and disinformation for their end gains, they will be caught up by the law. It is unnecessary to incite Kenyans against themselves. Let Kenyans engage and say, for instance, this is not good and we will listen to their views.

How will you personally engage with your fellow MPs to encourage robust, issue-based debate on the budget, rather than partisan grandstanding or political theatrics?

I am sure you followed the debate on the budget estimates for the 2025/26 fiscal period. The debate, overseen by the Speaker, was issue-based, open and robust.

Every member who desired to contribute to the debate was given an opportunity to do so. As a House, we are guided by the Standing Orders that are strong on the rule of relevance and substance and members are alive to this.

Nowhere did I see the Speaker call out a member for digressing or constantly remind the House about the need to confine their contributions to the matter on the floor. If we continue with this level of debate, we are definitely growing and we are headed somewhere.

As the country watches Parliament closely, what is your message to Kenyans who feel disillusioned with the political process—how will you demonstrate that parliament is prepared to speak and act on their behalf during this critical budget season?

Kenyans are disillusioned because of the state of our economy that has been affected by forces beyond the country’s reach. Look at the Covid-19 catastrophe for instance.

The Russia-Ukraine war that has greatly affected our trade, the drought situations that have hit our country hard. This has impacted on our economy negatively.

Most economies within the region and beyond- Ethiopia, Ghana and Zambia, defaulted on their debt repayments because of similar issues.

The fact that we did not default on our debt repayment shows that our economy is resilient. Kenyans’ support is what we are looking for as leaders and the future of our country is bright ceteris paribus.

Finally, we asked Mr Atandi to ask himself a question of his choice and proceed to answer it.

What is the one thing I would like to solve as BAC chairperson?

Right now, we have a crisis of debt. We have been paying more than Sh1 trillion a year in interest for the debts we procured as a country, and this situation continues this year and the years to come.

I hereby take a vow that not under my leadership as BAC chairperson, will I ever succumb to pressure to increase our fiscal space. Currently, the fiscal space is choking Kenyans even as we do all we can to manage it.

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