Principal Secretary Principal Secretary-State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management at the Kenyan National Treasury Mr Cyrell Odede has challenged senior government officials to accelerate the implementation of development programmes, strengthen accountability, and ensure prudent use of public resources, as the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management intensifies efforts to improve the performance of state investments amid growing public demand for value for taxpayers’ money.
Speaking while chairing a departmental performance and budget review meeting at Reinsurance Plaza, the Principal Secretary said efficient management of public investments remains central to the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), noting that delays in project implementation often translate into increased costs and deny Kenyans the benefits of critical development programmes.
The meeting brought together Heads of Department to review the implementation of the 2025/2026 Financial Year budget, assess departmental performance, and evaluate expenditure against planned targets. The session also examined the proposed revenue and expenditure estimates for the 2026/2027 Financial Year while aligning medium-term priorities under the 2027/2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Odede said regular performance reviews are essential in ensuring government programmes remain on course and that every shilling allocated by Parliament delivers measurable outcomes.
She emphasized that fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability must remain the cornerstone of public financial management, particularly at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to maximise returns from public investments while maintaining sustainable public expenditure.
“The prudent management of public resources is not optional. It is fundamental to achieving our national development agenda and ensuring Kenyans receive quality services in a timely and efficient manner,” the Principal Secretary said.
She directed departmental heads to move with speed in implementing priority programmes, warning that unnecessary bureaucratic delays undermine service delivery and erode public confidence in government institutions.
Odede further called on senior managers to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, improve budget absorption rates and ensure projects are completed within approved timelines and budgets.
The State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management plays a strategic role in overseeing government investments and state assets, ensuring that public enterprises operate efficiently and contribute to national economic growth. It is also responsible for promoting sound corporate governance, safeguarding public assets and enhancing oversight of state corporations.
The review meeting comes as ministries, departments and agencies across government continue implementing reforms aimed at improving expenditure efficiency following heightened scrutiny of public spending. Treasury has in recent years encouraged institutions to prioritise performance-based budgeting, strengthen financial controls and align expenditure with measurable development outcomes under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework.
Analysts argue that rigorous budget reviews have become increasingly important as the government seeks to balance growing development needs with fiscal consolidation measures intended to contain public debt while sustaining investments in infrastructure, social services and economic transformation.
By reviewing current performance alongside future budget projections, the State Department aims to identify implementation bottlenecks early, improve planning and ensure resources are channelled towards programmes with the greatest socio-economic impact.
The latest review signals the department’s intention to tighten oversight of public investments and reinforce a culture of accountability as the government seeks to enhance efficiency, improve service delivery and ensure public resources translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
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