Defence Committee Engages With Ministry and State Departments on the Budget Policy Statement

The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations chaired by Belgut MP, Hon. Nelson Koech met with representatives from the Ministry of Defence, National Intelligence Service (NIS), State Department for Foreign Affairs (SDFA), State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA), State Department for East African Community (SDEAC)in consideration of the 2024 Budget Policy Statement.

According to the Budget Policy Statement, the proposed ceiling for the Ministry of Defence is KES.198.57 billion which will be utilized for military recruitment, military modernization to close the existing gaps in the equipment and systems used by the military; and increased border security. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has a proposed ceiling for FY 2024/25 is KES.45.85 billion.

The State Department for Foreign Affairs (SDFA) is capped at KES.22.65 billion for FY 2024/25 to execute its programmes that entail foreign relation and diplomacy; economic and commercial diplomacy; and foreign policy research and technical cooperation.

On its part the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) has a proposed allocation of KES.1.26 billion for FY 2024/25 geared towards the management of Diaspora and Consular Affairs whose objective and outcome is to promote diaspora engagement and enhance consular services and a valued Diaspora in Nation Building, respectively.

For the State Department for East African Community the BPS 2024 proposes to allocate KES.643 FY 2024/25 that will be used for East African Affairs and Regional Integration whose objective is to Coordinate Kenya’s participation in the EAC Regional integration process, monitor and evaluate implementation of the Northern Corridor development.

Members of the Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations committed to support the Ministry and Agencies under its purview to receive allocations in order to effectively execute their mandates.