Exclusive: MPs Rally Behind Ruto’s First Budget, Demand Additional Ksh500 Million
Friday, June 9, the Agriculture and Livestock Committee of the National Assembly urged the Treasury to add Ksh500 million to the 2023/2024 budget to cover debts.
According to the committee, the funds will be used to repay the debt accrued as a result of the suspended maize flour subsidy program implemented in 2022 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The funds would also settle the Grain Mill Owners Association’s (GMOA) outstanding bill, as the organization was not paid in full before the suspension of the program.
MPs were investigating the billion-dollar program. Shrouded in secrecy and halted by President William Ruto in September 2022, when he assumed office.
On June 15 at 3 p.m., Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u will likely present the budget to Parliament.
Ruto’s administration has proposed a budget of Ksh3.6 trillion, up from Ksh3.39 trillion last year.
According to the treasury, Ksh700 billion will be obtained through borrowing and replaced by Kenyan taxes.
Notably, the proposed Finance Bill 2023 includes increased taxes. In a variety of industries to help the government collect funds for governing the nation.
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The CS previously stated, “Revenue performance will be supported by ongoing reforms in tax policy and revenue administration measures aimed at broadening the tax base.”
Ruto projects that Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collections will increase to Ksh2,571 trillion.
In the meantime, as a result of the investigation. Members of parliament discovered that one of the reasons Kenyans did not have access to subsidized maize flour. Was the lack of proper labeling on the packages of maize flour.
This allowed unscrupulous individuals to sell the commodity at inflated prices.
The committee, led by John Mutunga. A representative from Tigania West, also uncovered discrepancies between the Ministry of Agriculture and the millers. Regarding the quantity of maize flour supplied and the amount paid.
Exclusive: MPs Rally Behind Ruto’s First Budget, Demand Additional Ksh500 Million
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