On Tuesday, February 25th, 2025, the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, chaired by Hon. Kareke Mbiuki (Maara Constituency), held a session to discuss the Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for 2025 with Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano. CS Miano was accompanied by Principal Secretaries John Ololtuaa (Tourism) and Silvia Museiya (Wildlife) during the deliberations held at the Continental House in Parliament Buildings.
The session was centered on the financial outlook for the Tourism and Wildlife sectors, with detailed discussions on the allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa informed the Committee that the total approved budget for the Ministry in FY 2024/2025 stood at Kshs. 10.315 billion. This amount included Kshs. 9.846 billion for recurrent expenditure and Kshs. 470 million for development projects. By mid-year, the Ministry had spent Kshs. 4.294 billion, reflecting a 43.47% absorption rate for recurrent funds and just 2.91% for development funds.
Looking ahead to FY 2025/2026, the sector’s total budgetary requirement was projected at Kshs. 21.345 billion, but the BPS 2025 allocation provided Kshs. 17.916 billion. Of this amount, Kshs. 15.933 billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, with Kshs. 1.984 billion set aside for development initiatives.
Committee members raised several concerns during the session. Hon. John Wanjiku (Vice-Chairperson) and Hon. Innocent Mugabe (Lukuyani Constituency) questioned the potential impact of mergers of key research institutions within the Ministry, expressing worries about their effect on service delivery and efficiency. In response, CS Miano reassured the Committee that the Ministry’s reforms were aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, reducing reliance on government funding, and streamlining operations.
“The Ministry is fully committed to implementing the approved state corporation reforms as directed by the Cabinet,” CS Miano said. “We have set up a dedicated technical committee to assess the functions of the affected agencies and ensure a smooth transition, while recommending necessary amendments to support the reform agenda.”
On the Wildlife sub-sector, Principal Secretary Silvia Museiya presented the allocated budget for FY 2025/2026, which amounted to Kshs. 14.381 billion. This included Kshs. 12.083 billion for recurrent expenditure and Kshs. 2.298 billion for development.
Hon. (Dr.) Edwin Mugo (Mathioya Constituency) urged the Ministry to prioritize flagship projects that would bring about substantial transformation in the sector. “The Ministry should focus on key projects that will drive significant change. Spreading resources too thinly across multiple initiatives may not produce the desired outcomes,” Dr. Mugo advised.
The Committee’s deliberations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the final Budget allocations for the Ministry of
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