By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER, NAIROBI
President William Ruto has signed the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2024 into law, following its passage by the National Assembly on July 31. This new legislation aims to address fiscal constraints while safeguarding key expenditures, including a significant KSh20 billion allocation to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity.
Witnessing the signing, Kimani Ichung’wah highlighted the bill’s provision of additional resources to critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare. This move is set to strengthen Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by funding medical internships, UHC workers on contract, and Community Health Promoters.
Moreover, the bill facilitates the hiring of Junior School interns on a permanent basis and allocates more resources to the new higher education financing model. In response to the shelving of the Finance Bill 2024, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill undertakes budget rationalization across all government arms.
A significant aspect of the new law is the reduction of Sh145 billion in government expenditure, a measure aimed at streamlining public spending and enhancing fiscal responsibility. President Ruto’s endorsement of the bill marks a pivotal step in addressing the nation’s financial challenges while prioritizing essential services.