Cost-cutting initiative good for economy

It seems President Uhuru Kenyatta won’t relent in his latest war against corruption and wastage in State departments and ministries. Six months since he ordered for the freezing of all new development projects until ongoing ones are completed, 13 State bodies have not received a dime from The Treasury. The amount due to the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) - including Tourism and Defence - is Sh13.7 billion.

Concerns surrounding the legality of the president’s directive notwithstanding, the fiscal benefits that will accrue from the order are better than the minor legal infraction. All projects, including some that have been ongoing for over 30 years have to be completed before a ministry, department or agency gets new disbursement from The Treasury. No more unfinished projects. No more white elephant projects.

Meanwhile, having given money to pay salaries and pensions, debts, print vital documents, or buy drugs, The Treasury has prioritised spending on the Big Four Agenda, Kenyatta’s legacy plan to ensure every Kenyan has access to nutritious food, critical healthcare services, well-paying jobs and a roof over their head. The Big Four agenda is a noble initiative which, if well-implemented, will economically empower millions of Kenyans.

Nonetheless, the government has also taken precautions so that the president’s directive does not boomerang on them. The Tourism Department is one of the casualties in the latest cost-cutting measures. Yet, tourism is just recovering - and has even been shaken by a recent terrorist attack. Unless there are projects that really need to be completed, tourism, a critical foreign exchange earner, needs massive support.