The government is set to spend a staggering Sh7 billion on public participation exercises for bills that the Kenya Kwanza administration intends to enact and present to Parliament.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed that the government plans to pass at least 700 laws, with each bill requiring between Sh10 million and Sh100 million at the public participation stage.
He noted that the annual cost of public participation has made the enactment of laws to support the government’s development agenda unattainable.
Speaking in Malindi, Mudavadi urged Members of Parliament to fast-track the passage of the Public Participation Bill, which aims to streamline the process and eliminate duplication.
While acknowledging that public participation is a constitutional requirement, he stressed the need for structured regulation through the proposed legislation currently under parliamentary review.
The PCS expressed concern over government agencies conducting separate public participation exercises for a single piece of legislation or government programme, significantly increasing costs.
“Currently, we have more than 700 pieces of legislation awaiting parliamentary debate and approval. However, if you factor in the public participation costs, the expenditure surpasses Sh7 billion, which is unsustainable,” he stated.
Mudavadi further explained:
“The cost of public participation for each piece of legislation ranges between Sh10 million and Sh100 million. This means we could be spending tens of billions of shillings, yet our hospitals are struggling with a shortage of drugs and personnel.”
He argued that it is irrational for various government departments to conduct separate public participation exercises for the same piece of legislation, each costing millions.
Calling for greater accountability, Mudavadi urged the Auditor General to audit funds allocated for public participation.
“The national government conducts public participation, then the National Assembly, followed by the Senate, then county governments, and finally county assemblies, all for the same piece of legislation. We are calling on the Auditor General to look into this and provide guidance. We must ensure that public participation is conducted efficiently, without wasting resources, especially when we are struggling to implement key development projects,” he stated.
