Gov’t advised on public service budgets, transparency

Summary:

• The Public Service Governance (PSG) urges the government to prioritize public service budgets, emphasizing essential sectors like health, education, and transport. PSG President Esther Waringa criticizes the high government wage bill benefiting politicians over essential professionals.

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The Public Service Governance (PSG) has called on the government to prioritize public service budgets, emphasizing their importance during a press conference addressing the state of the nation’s governance, particularly concerning health, transport, and the government wage bill.

During the conference held at a Nairobi hotel, Ambassador Esther Waringa, President of PSG, highlighted that vital sectors like health, education, and transport suffer from inadequate funding. She criticized the government’s plan to reinstate CAS positions through parliament, arguing that it contradicts prudent fiscal management.

Waringa expressed concern over the excessively high government wage bill, which predominantly benefits the political class, while essential professionals such as doctors, teachers, and agriculturalists receive lower salaries.

She advocated for reallocating the funds designated for the political class towards improving medical facilities, the education sector, and infrastructure.

Additionally, Waringa recommended refining and reinstating the Michuki rules, which regulate overloading, overspeeding, vehicle roadworthiness, as well as tackling corruption and bribery on the roads.

She urged the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to rigorously enforce regulations against bribery, overspeeding, lane overlapping, and playing loud, non-essential music on public transport vehicles.

Waringa highlighted growing concerns about governance transparency, citing recent strikes by doctors and impending strikes by teachers, despite tax payments by Kenyan citizens.

She emphasized that government funds should prioritize healthcare professionals and other public servants.

Lastly, Waringa commended the Office of the Deputy President for their efforts in combating drug abuse and shutting down unnecessary bars.

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