More needed to curb wastage in Government

NAIROBI: In a bold, though belated move, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich announced austerity measures aimed at cutting wastage in Government spending on Wednesday this week, while launching public participation in the next budget-making process.

A similar move was undertaken by retired President Mwai Kibaki’s administration some years back when it banned the use of vehicles whose engine capacity exceeded 3000cc by Government officials, including his ministers. Though well-intentioned, there wasn’t much follow up and after only a few months of lying low, the fuel guzzlers bearing Government registration number plates could be seen back on the roads.