Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua chaired the 21st Ordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Budget Economic Council (IBEC), marking the commencement of the 2023/2024 financial year. The session focused on key areas of common interest with significant implications for Kenya’s governance and economic development.

Discussions during the session encompassed a range of critical topics, including the optimization of Own Source Revenue, addressing the escalating wage bills while simultaneously enhancing productivity, strategies to reduce post-harvest losses for farmers, and the operationalization of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund. The session also included detailed reports on mining revenue distribution, the implementation of reforms within the sugar sector, and the full transfer of funds, complete with cost assessments.

These deliberations align with Kenya’s overarching governance and economic agenda, specifically the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emphasized the indispensable role of statutory forums like IBEC in consolidating and coordinating plans and actions for the betterment of the nation.

Crucially, the National Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting devolution and ensuring the independence of institutions is in line with its broader Kenya Kwanza Plan. This comprehensive plan seeks to enhance governance, promote equitable resource allocation, and drive socio-economic advancement.

The 21st IBEC session signifies Kenya’s steadfast determination to establish a transparent, efficient, and harmonious governance framework that ultimately elevates the standard of living for its citizens, demonstrating the nation’s unwavering commitment to prosperity and progress.