MPs question Ksh4B capital injection into Prison Enterprise Fund
The National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation has questioned the legal basis for a proposed Ksh4 billion initial capital injection into the Prison Enterprise Fund, warning that the provision could undermine Parliament’s constitutional power to appropriate public funds. The committee raised the concerns on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while scrutinising the proposed Public Finance…
Members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Delegated Legislation have expressed concerns over a proposed Ksh4 billion capital injection into the Prison Enterprise Fund, questioning its legal basis and the potential impact on Parliament's constitutional authority to allocate public funds. During a review of the Public Finance Management (Prison Enterprise Fund) Regulations, 2026, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the committee highlighted issues with Regulation 7, which sets the initial capital at Ksh4 billion, a sum not yet approved by the budget committee.
Committee Chairperson Samuel Chepkonga cautioned that such an injection undermines Parliament's power to appropriate funds, warning that lawmakers could face the task of legislating on unapproved money. National Treasury officials clarified that the government plans a four-year investment strategy, allocating Ksh1 billion annually to upgrade prison facilities and enterprises.
However, Chepkonga urged reconsideration of the provision, urging the ministry to ensure the capital is duly appropriated by Parliament. The committee also debated the allocation of 5% of the fund to prisoner rehabilitation, with Tom Olouch warning that vague spending guidelines could risk misappropriation of up to Ksh200 million.
Robert Githinji, the committee's vice-chairperson, echoed concerns over the broad definition of rehabilitation activities, suggesting they should be explicitly listed. Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Salome Wairimu defended the flexibility, citing the evolving nature of rehabilitation, which now encompasses fields like content creation, artificial intelligence, and music production.
The committee also scrutinized a clause excluding individuals who held public office in the past five years from becoming chief executive officers of the fund, arguing that existing laws already provide adequate safeguards against unsuitable appointments. Lawmakers called for the regulations to be revised for greater clarity and transparency, advocating for a clear list of approved prison enterprises rather than leaving the decision to future boards.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
