"Committee Calls for Overhaul of ICT and Broadcasting Budgets Amid Project Duplication and Funding Gaps"

 

The National Assembly Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation, pressed for a comprehensive overhaul of budget allocations for state departments of ICT and Broadcasting. 

During a meeting with ICT and Digital Economy CS William Kabogo and Heads of State Departments falling under the ministry, MPs raised concerns that what is written on paper does not match the projects on the ground.

This emerged during the review of the Supplementary Estimates II for the State Departments of Broadcasting and Telecommunications and ICT and Digital Economy.

At the session led by Committee Chairperson Hon John Kiarie (Dagoretti South), the legislators poked holes on initiatives like the Jitume Digital Enablement Programme and the Kenya Digital Economy and Public Access (KDEAP) fund.

CS Kabogo at the meeting with the committee led the ministry’s plea for increased funding.

 “We request that the rationalized budget be reinstated to clear FY 2023/24 pending bills and honor the FY 2024/25 maintenance of ICT infrastructure running contracts,” CS Kabogo declared.

 He also asked for Ksh 1B for the Jitume Digital Enablement Programme and an additional Ksh 7.7B for the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

Hon. Kivasu challenged the ministry, “Will you achieve the 1450 digital hubs promised by the President? Can we also get realistic targets, since last term we talked about 100,000 km of fiber and we never seem to achieve it?” 

Hon. Mumina added, “Two years down the line, little has been achieved. We need to win back Kenyans’ trust.”

 Her concern was also echoed by Hon. Miruka, “The President has a lot of pronouncements. Are you considering these in your budget allocations? The budget-making process doesn’t tally with what’s on the ground.”

The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. John Kiarie, demanded clarity on funding cuts,“If Treasury implements zero budgeting in the estimates, then we need a zero budget format from the Ministry to tidy up our budget lines. KDEAP is reducing from 2.8B to 650M this Financial Year, how do you explain this cut?”

In response, CS Kabogo explained, “When Treasury takes away funding, it is because they doubt our absorption capacity. The targets are realistic, but funding constraints hinder achievement. However, we are realigning priorities to deliver on Presidential directives.”

Hon. Umulkher Harun advocated for better use of existing facilities,“We have unused government facilities, why build a new digital hub when, for instance, my facility in Garissa sits on three acres of idle land?”

 CS Kabogo replied, “We will take it up, POSTA has about 600 facilities that can be utilized, and libraries can also be repurposed.”

On project duplication, KBC status and resource misuse, legislators questioned why projects like Studio Mashinani, digital hubs, and centers of excellence are all being funded separately under the same ministry. 

Hon. Kakuta asked, “Can we not have duplication of projects? It is redundant. We need a 21st-century KBC that can truly compete with other broadcasters.” Hon. Jematiah bluntly added, “KBC is so dull, you need to repackage and rebrand.”

Hon. Bensouda tasked KBC to collaborate with other stations like Citizen TV, “Invite your competitors and share knowledge. Can we reduce money for travel for KBC and put it into a change in KBC? We need to see a return on investment.” 

Hon. Erastus Kivasu challenged the ministry, “Will you achieve the 1450 digital hubs promised by the President? Can we also get realistic targets, since last term we talked about 100,000 km of fiber and we never seem to achieve it?” 

Hon. Mumina Bonaya added, “Two years down the line, little has been achieved. We need to win back Kenyans’ trust.”

 Her concern was also echoed by Hon. Alfah Miruka, “The President has a lot of pronouncements. Are you considering these in your budget allocations? The budget-making process doesn’t tally with what’s on the ground.”

The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. John Kiarie, demanded clarity on funding cuts,“If Treasury implements zero budgeting in the estimates, then we need a zero budget format from the Ministry to tidy up our budget lines. KDEAP is reducing from 2.8B to 650M this Financial Year, how do you explain this cut?”

In response, CS Kabogo explained, “When Treasury takes away funding, it is because they doubt our absorption capacity. The targets are realistic, but funding constraints hinder achievement. However, we are realigning priorities to deliver on Presidential directives.”

Hon. Umulkher Harun advocated for better use of existing facilities,“We have unused government facilities, why build a new digital hub when, for instance, my facility in Garissa sits on three acres of idle land?”

 CS Kabogo replied, “We will take it up, POSTA has about 600 facilities that can be utilized, and libraries can also be repurposed.”

On project duplication, KBC status and resource misuse, legislators questioned why projects like Studio Mashinani, digital hubs, and centers of excellence are all being funded separately under the same ministry. 

Hon. Kakuta Maimai asked, “Can we not have duplication of projects? It is redundant. We need a 21st-century KBC that can truly compete with other broadcasters.” Hon. Jematiah bluntly added, “KBC is so dull, you need to repackage and rebrand.”

Hon. Joyce Bensouda tasked KBC to collaborate with other stations like Citizen TV, “Invite your competitors and share knowledge. Can we reduce money for travel for KBC and put it into a change in KBC? We need to see a return on investment.” 

Hon. Kivasu questioned the scaling of Studio Mashinani,“Studio Mashinani started in 2014, by 2017, only four were completed. To date, only four exist, and now you want 15. How will that happen?”

Hon. Miruka urged modernization, stating, “Can you be modern? There’s nothing moving while money is being pumped. Be an element of change, Ms. Kalekye for KBC.” The CS noted that merging Studio Mashinani with digital hubs is an excellent suggestion.

Finally, the Hon. Kiarie concluded, “Studio Mashinani needs to be a content generator. Look at Alex Chamwada,his one-man show attracts more viewership than KBC with its full staff. As you rethink Studio Mashinani, consider it as a vehicle for citizen journalism. If the reformatting of KBC fails this time, there might never be another opportunity.”

With calls for accountability and a decisive push for reform, legislators signaled a commitment to ensure that budgetary allocations reflect achievable projects, eliminate duplication, and harness existing resources to deliver on the government’s communication mandate for Kenyans.

March 07, 2025