State Cancels Procurement Of Promotional Merchandise For All Ministries And Agencies

The government has suspended the procurement of corporate wear and promotional merchandise for all Ministries, State Departments, and State agencies.

In a circular dated March 18, the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, stated that the directive seeks to lower government spending and aligns with 2024 Budget Policy Statement (BPS).

“Suspend and immediately cease the procurement, printing and production of corporate wear; including but not limited to t-shirts, shirts, tracksuits, and any other branded clothing items,” the circular reads in part.

Other suspended items include calendars, diaries, umbrellas, power banks, key holders, bags, flasks, cups, branded traditional blankets/Shukas, and notebooks.

Koskei said the new austerity measures are part of the government’s measures to reduce its expenditures on non-essentials and address wastage in government.

“In that regard, and to further streamline expenditures and optimize the utilization of public resources; all ministries, state departments, and state corporation or agencies are directed to optimize their operations and rationalize all non-priority expenditure items,” Koskei said in the circular dated March 18, 2024.

The latest directive is part of the Kenya Kwanza government’s measures to redirect public resources to priority areas supporting the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda(Beta).

In steering the nation towards an economic renaissance, the government is implementing the Beta within the framework of a macroeconomic strategy focused on fiscal consolidation.

“The policy on fiscal consolidation is anchored upon enhanced revenue mobilization as well as austerity measures underpinned by the rationalisation of non-priority expenditure and implemented in a manner that nevertheless protects essential social development spending,” Koskei said.