The Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, led by Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) as the Ministry defended its proposed 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS).

However, the Committee, chaired by MP John Kiarie, made it clear that they expected more than promises, they wanted results.

CS Kabogo presented the Ministry’s achievements, highlighting the rollout of the digital superhighway, enhanced connectivity through 1,450 constituency digital hubs, and the digitization of government services aimed at improving efficiency and transparency. But the Committee was unimpressed, questioning the Ministry’s visibility and its impact on the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

“We don’t want to be a government that just speaks and doesn’t deliver,” asserted MP Geoffrey Wandeto. MP Alfah Miruka echoed the sentiment, questioning, “People don’t know what digital hubs are and what the Ministry actually does. How are you changing that?” MP Gideon Kimaiyo pressed, “Wi-Fi hotspots aren’t working, what are your achievements halfway through the term?” In response, Principal Secretary Eng. John Tanui acknowledged challenges with sustainability but assured the Committee that solutions were in progress.

Financial transparency, or the lack thereof, drew the sharpest criticism. The Committee rejected the Ministry’s budget, citing vague allocations and a lack of clear breakdowns. “Blanket variation in budget is wrong and can’t be allowed,” stated MP Miruka.

MP Wandeto pointed out the inconsistency of allocating KSh350 million for refurbishing the Directorate of Information headquarters while KIMC’s Eldoret branch received no funding. “There is a misalignment of priorities,” he noted, adding, “You can’t ask for KSh1.5 billion for personal emoluments—how many staff do you have and what do they do?”

Addressing concerns over the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board (KYEB), which is set to be merged with other entities, CS Kabogo assured that no jobs would be lost. However, MP Kimaiyo questioned the rationale for allocating a budget to an entity slated for dissolution: “KYEB is being scrapped, but you are still giving it a budget. Why?”

KBC’s KSh52B debt

Addressing KBC’s KSh52 billion debt, CS Kabogo acknowledged the challenges, stating that the Ministry was focused on streamlining KBC’s operations before seeking additional funding. Yet, the Committee remained unsatisfied, emphasizing the need for tangible outcomes. “We want to hear you, feel you, and see you in public,” urged MP Bensouda, reflecting the public’s demand for more visibility and impact from the Ministry.

Principal Secretary Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani made a heartfelt plea, “When budget cuts come, they start with communication, yet there’s a complaint that the Ministry of Communication isn’t doing its work,” he stated, urging the Committee to advocate for sufficient funding. However, he acknowledged the challenge of paying salaries without adequate resources to support projects. “The main problem we have is communication. It’s not good to only be paying recurrent expenditure but not help our projects. The little money available, let it go to communication. We are paying salaries for people to do nothing as there’s no money to perform their actual functions.”

In the end, despite the Ministry’s explanations and assurances, the legislators deemed the proposed budget inadmissible. They instructed the Ministry to revisit its financial figures, prioritize projects with measurable benefits, and deliver tangible results that would not only advance government operations but also improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.