Members of the National Assembly Committee on Communication Information and Innovation have urged the State Departments under the Committee's purview to plan on maximization of the projected budget allocation as per the 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS).

This follows the tight fiscal constraints underpinning the 2026 BPS vis-a-vis the sectors Budget requirements.

During a meeting to consider the 2026 BPS estimates with the State Departments for ICT & the Digital Economy and Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Members of Parliament noted that the allocations fall short of the resource needs presented by the two State Departments.

The State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy has been allocated a total of Ksh. 17,969M in the 2026 BPS as compared to the resource requirement of Ksh. 39,821M.

Similarly, the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications has been allocated Ksh. 6,440M in the 2026 BPS against the total resource requirement of Ksh. 16,375.25M.

Speaking in the meeting, the Committee Chairperson Hon. John Kiarie challenged the State Departments on the introduction of new projects despite existing funding shortfalls, emphasizing the need to align programmes with available resources. 

He questioned the source of funding for the proposed new projects and called for more realistic wish lists.

"This Committee is keen on the introduction of new programmes. Where will you get funds for the new projects?," posed Hon. Kiarie.

The Committee interrogated the presentation with a keen interest in the sector's approach to BPS and the conceptual framework by the State Departments.

The lawmakers sought explanations on how the Ministries, State Departments and Agencies (MDAs) plan to address financial gaps and sustain priority programs.

In response, the Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr. Stephen Isaboke hinted that his led Department will consider borrowing a leaf from other sectors like Roads by securitizing user-generated funds so as to fund the underfunded critical areas.

On his part, the PS for the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui assured the Committee that a report will be submitted detailing potential funding sources for the legislators consideration. 

Eng. Tanui also observed that ceilings can at times limit implementation of projects even when additional resources may be available.