Ministry warns budget cuts will shrink Kenya's diplomatic reach

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing’oei. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001519495/parliament-told-trade-ministry-budget-slash-to-affect-service-delivery">budget cuts< for the 2025/26 financial year, from the requested Sh39 billion to Sh23 billion will affect its operations aimed at improving relations with other nations globally.

Principal Secretary Korir Singoei informed the National Assembly’s Defence, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech that they have been allocated Sh12.7 billion for personal emoluments yet they required Sh13.6 billion.

Singoei highlighted a shortfall of Sh 900 million in the personal emoluments budget, which stands at Sh 12.7 billion against the required KSh 13.6 billion. This gap affects postings, promotions, education supplements, and the remuneration of former ambassadors awaiting gratuity.

“We have been allocated Sh900 million for operationalisation and establishment of new missions in Jeddah, Asmara, Abdijan, Bogota, Congo Brazzaville, Hangary, Guangzhou, Haiti and Kinshasa where we need Sh3 billion,” said Singoei.

The Principal Secretary told the committee that they require an additional allocation of Sh3.42 billion for ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001516701/ruto-to-seek-more-loans-for-stalled-projects-in-china-visit">state visits< to cater for the Head of State travels to other nations after being allocated Sh1.88 billion while they had requested for Sh5.3 billion.

Singoei said that they had requested for Sh1 billion for Foreign exchange risk assumption facility which they have been allocated since the budgets for Kenyan missions are prepared in Kenya shillings and disbursed to the respective missions on quarterly basis.

He pointed out that to facilitate the transfer, multiple transactions are done initially from Kenya shillings to the currency of remission and then to the currency of the recipient country with this occasioning huge net foreign exchange losses which erode their allocated budgets.

“Due to financial constraints Kenya cannot establish diplomatic footprints in all countries, as such the State Department of Foreign Affairs requires Sh500 million to facilitate effective representation by mission accredited to two to three surrounding countries,” said Singoei.

He told the committee that the department has been allocated Sh3.267 billion instead of the requested Sh3.335 billion for rent payment for various Kenyan missions abroad including newly established embassies effective November 2023.

The ministry also requested Sh250 million for="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/national/article/2001519438/ict-budget-faces-scrutiny-over-sh16bn-debt"> ICT infrastructure<, including computers and printers for newly recruited officers and missions, but was allocated Sh156 million. Similarly, the request for Sh450 million to support regional peace and security negotiations, particularly in South Sudan, was not granted.

“There are various ongoing construction and renovations projects ongoing with in the Ministry Headquarters and 25 Kenyan embassies which is set to cost a total of Sh2.3 billion with the headquarters allocated Sh100 million for the construction of the building,” said Singoei.

In light of these budget constraints, Singoei urged the committee to consider the long-term implications on Kenya’s foreign relations.