The Government Printer has appealed to Parliament's Committee on Administration and Internal Security for an additional Sh3.6 billion budget allocation to address critical equipment deficiencies.
During an inspection visit on Thursday, GP Senior Deputy Geoffrey Runoh highlighted the urgency of the upgrade, stating that their current equipment, dating back to the 1930s and 1980s, is hindering service delivery.
“Outdated system application and workflow software compromise security,” Runoh explained, emphasizing the need for advanced security printing software.
He further stressed that outsourcing of security documents, a practice necessitated by outdated equipment, has led to a “drastic increase” in forgery, duplication, and fraud.
An Auditor General's report from November 1, 2021, corroborates Runoh's claims.
The report revealed that over 70 per cent of the GP's operational machinery originates from these decades.
The Parliamentary committee, led by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, toured various sections of the facility, including proofreading, lithography, county legislation, paper conversion, engineering, and binding sections. Their visit aimed to assess the GP's modernization needs.
Abdi Hassan Ali, the Government Printer, outlined their plan, prioritizing machinery upgrades at a cost of Sh3.5 billion for the 2024/25 financial year.
The committee's vice chairperson, Rasso Dido Ali, expressed his support after the visit, stating, "We are convinced you really need the funds."
It is important to note that this request for additional funding comes amidst a 2022 audit by the Auditor General, which revealed the GP owes suppliers and service providers an estimated Sh975.9 million.
Addressing both equipment deficiencies and outstanding debts will be crucial for the GP to regain financial stability and enhance security in its document printing operations.
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