The 46, 000 Junior Secondary School interns are among beneficiaries in Supplementary Appropriation (No.2) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 39 of 2024) that was signed into law by President William Ruto today.
The Bill supports the hiring of Junior School interns on permanent terms and the higher education new financing model.
Through the Supplementary Appropriation Act, Kshs 18.7 billion is earmarked for the confirmation of all Junior Secondary School interns into permanent and pensionable terms, Kshs. 30.7 billion for capitation for JSS students including those transitioning to grade nine, Kshs. 23 billion to universities for the Differentiated Unit Cost funding model, Kshs. 31.3 billion to the Higher Education Loans Board for scholarships and loans and Kshs. 17 billion to the University Funding Board for scholarships to university students.
The Bill now Act sponsored by Ndindi Nyoro, Chairperson, Budget and Appropriations Committee was considered and passed with amendments by the National Assembly on July 31, 2024.
The Supplementary Appropriation Act introduces reductions to recurrent and development expenditure for the three arms of government, constitutional commissions and independent offices.
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Based on concerns raised by the public, the Finance Bill, 2024 was rejected pursuant to Article 115 of the Constitution, resulting in a revenue shortfall of approximately Kshs 344.3 billion.
The Supplementary Appropriation Act has been necessitated by the need to realign planned expenditures to the revised fiscal framework.
The total reduction for the National Government is Kshs. 145.7 billion consisting of Kshs. 40 billion for the recurrent expenditure and Kshs. 105 billion for the development expenditure.
The reduction for the Executive is Kshs. 139.81 billion drawn from various Ministries. The new law also contains a reduction of Kshs. 3.7 billion for Parliament and Kshs. 2.1 billion for the Judiciary.
The major recurrent expenditure reductions include, Kshs 6 billion for State House, Deputy President, Kshs 7.0 billion reduction for the National Treasury and reductions to various development projects under medical service and road projects and transport sector projects, Kshs. 17.3 billion.
The Act allocates substantial funds to critical sectors. The Agriculture sector has received Kshs. 20 billion boost for fertilizer subsidies, waive coffee farmers debt, support dairy farmers, purchase milk coolers and support to sugar farmers.
Allocations for the health sector include Kshs. 3.7 billion for the medical internship program, Kshs. 4 billion for the primary healthcare fund, Kshs. 8.5 billion for contracted UHC healthcare workers and Community Health Volunteers.
To improve the conditions of Police officers, the Supplementary Appropriation Act has allocated Kshs. 3.5 billion towards enhancing remuneration for officers serving in various security organs in line with the recommendations of the Report of the National Taskforce on Police Reforms. This is to promote the dignity and living standards of the officers in the security sector.
Present during the signing are Deputy President Rigathi Gachagha, National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetang’ula MP, Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah, Majority Whip,Naomi Waqo, Chairperson, Budget and Appropriations Committee Ndindi Nyoro among other leaders.
By Obegi Malack
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