By Joshua Otieno | February 26, 2026
The National Assembly Departmental Committee chairpersons on Wednesday commenced presentation of reports on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and the Medium-Term for 2026/27 to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC).
This follows thorough consultative meetings with the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) they oversee, in a process aimed at supporting the national budget-making process.
Guiding the Departmental Committee chairpersons, Members of BAC led by Chairperson Hon. Samuel Atandi sought briefs on the key policies guiding the budget ceilings for FY 2026/27.
The chairpersons who appeared before the committee requested that the BPS ceilings for the State Departments be approved without amendments, alongside their proposals for enhanced budget allocations.
Presenting the report of the Departmental Committee on Regional Development, Hon. Peter Lochakapong urged the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning to implement Cabinet resolutions approving the merger and dissolution of State Corporations. He further called for the development of a clear transition framework for Parliament’s consideration by June 30, 2026, to ensure continuity of services.
Hon. Benard Shinali, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, raised concerns over underfunding in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, saying the shortfall undermines economic growth and enterprise development.
On cross-cutting matters, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, Hon. John Kiarie, called for the full adoption of zero-based budgeting through a new IFMIS module to spur economic growth.
Meanwhile, Hon. George Murugara, Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, cited pending bills amounting to KSh 5.64 billion for agencies under his committee, attributing the backlog to lack of exchequer releases.
BAC will continue reviewing more Departmental Committee reports on February 26, 2026.
