Muturi pushes for budget increase, warns of public service disruptions

Public Service and Human Capital Development Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has urged Parliament to approve increased budgetary allocations, warning that underfunding threatens the effectiveness of government programs and essential service delivery.

Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Labour, Muturi emphasized the need for strategic investments in human capital development, citing funding gaps that have stalled key initiatives, including civil servant training, Huduma Kenya centers and human resource certification programs.

Muturi raised concerns over budget cuts affecting the Kenya School of Government (KSG), which is responsible for training public servants.

He warned that limited funding has significantly reduced training opportunities, creating competency gaps that hinder service delivery.

“The Kenya School of Government is a cornerstone for capacity building in the public service. However, continued budget cuts have reduced training opportunities, creating competency gaps that impact service delivery,” he stated.

He called on MPs to restore funding to the institution, stressing that an adequately trained workforce is critical to implementing government policies effectively.

The CS also highlighted financial constraints affecting the Huduma Kenya program, which provides centralized government services across the country.

He revealed that previous budget cuts had stalled multiple Huduma projects, limiting citizens’ access to crucial services.

“Huduma Kenya is designed to bring government services closer to the people, but without sufficient funding, many of its projects cannot move forward,” Muturi noted, urging lawmakers to prioritize its financing.

Muturi further called for increased support for the Human Resource Management Professionals Examinations Board (HRMPEB), which certifies HR professionals in the public sector.

He stressed that investing in HR certification and training is essential for improving governance and service efficiency.

“A competent and well-trained workforce is at the heart of efficient governance. Investing in HR certification and training is not a luxury but a necessity,” he remarked.

While acknowledging financial limitations, Muturi insisted that resource allocation must be structured to protect critical government institutions from budget cuts.

He warned that underfunding key sectors could undermine service delivery and slow down essential government programs.

“We cannot afford to underfund the very institutions that keep government services running. A well-equipped public service is the backbone of effective governance,” he reiterated.

The Ministry now awaits the committee’s decision on the proposed supplementary budget, which could determine the future of several critical public service initiatives.