The National Assembly’s Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation on Tuesday reviewed the 2025/2026 budget proposals from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, with officials urging the MPs to reinstate funding to prevent disruptions in key programmes.
During the sitting, Principal Secretaries Steven Isaboke, (Broadcasting and Telecommunications), and Eng. John Tanui, (ICT and the Digital Economy) said there is need to sustain investments in digital infrastructure and broadcasting and communication to boost connectivity, digital inclusion and raise public awareness on various Government initiatives.
Mr Isaboke highlighted that the Department’s original allocation of Sh6.83 billion had been reduced to Sh6.24 billion, a cut that is expected to disrupt several planned initiatives.
“The budget cut will affect dissemination of Government information, media monitoring, development and finalisation of key policies and bills and restructuring of various agencies. We ask the committee to reinstate some of the budget lines,” he said, adding that the Department is working with the various State Agencies under it to innovate and collaborate in bid to reduce operational costs.
Eng. Tanui said the ICT and Digital Economy Department had a proposed allocation of Sh16.1 billion, which had been reduced by Sh5 billion.
The PS noted that the institution is implementing critical Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) projects, including the laying out of 100,000km fibre optic network and skilling the youth, which will be affected by the budget cut.
He said that based on the reduced financing, the Department will in the financial year connect to the internet 1,148 schools and Government institutions out of the targeted 1,500.
It will also install public Wi-Fi at 2,007 spots in sub-counties and ward out of the targeted 6,170.
“The reduction will slow down the establishment of digital hubs limit opportunities for youth employment, online job training and digital innovation in under-served areas,” said the PS.
Mr Kiarie and other members of the Committee further were keen to know how the Ministry is addressing the issue of pending bills, which run into billions of shillings.
Eng. Tanui and Mr Isaboke said that the State Departments had written to the National Treasury requesting for additional funds to settle the pending bills. On the other hand, the historical pending bills were forwarded to the Verification Committee for review.
Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board’s CEO Lilian Kimeto, among several Heads of Departments and Agencies in the Ministry, attended the session.
Ms Kimeto explained to the Committee programmes that KYEB is undertaking, including digitalisation of its products and production of books on BETA pillars to enhance Government communication, as she appealed for more funding for recruitment of technical staff and automation of services.