A far-reaching overhaul of Kenya’s government structure is on the cards as the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee prepares to recommend the merger and abolition of several State departments.

The move, aimed at slashing public expenditure, could see a significant redistribution of government resources.

The committee, chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, will propose combining 14 State departments and disbanding the Devolution docket entirely.

This radical restructuring is in response to public submissions and memoranda calling for a more efficient and cost-effective government.

“The committee has taken note of this recommendation and will put forward a proposal for consideration by the Executive,” the committee stated in its budget report tabled in the National Assembly this week.

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Proposed mergers include the pairing of Roads with Transport, Vocational and Technical Training with Higher Education and Research, Public Works with Housing and Urban Development, and Trade with Industry.

Additionally, the committee is expected to recommend the amalgamation of Investment Promotion with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Medical Services with Public Health and Professional Standards, and Parliamentary Affairs with Cabinet Affairs.

The report also echoes public sentiment in calling for the elimination of the Devolution docket.

“They affirmed that if the same is retained, then its capacity building and civic education budget should be reduced and money allocated to counties,” the Committee wrote.

The proposed changes are expected to yield substantial savings, complementing the government’s efforts to wind down 47 loss-making parastatals.

Treasury data indicates that the State departments earmarked for merger consumed a hefty Sh175.5 billion in recurrent expenditure during the last fiscal year.

The committee’s recommendations align with the broader government agenda of fiscal consolidation.

The Treasury and President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors have already advocated for streamlining government operations by merging overlapping State corporations and transferring functions to more efficient entities.

As the committee finalises its proposals, the nation awaits the potential impact of this significant restructuring on public service delivery and economic growth.