PS Kello Harsama Leads GECA Sector in Public Budget Hearings for FY 2026/27
PS Harsama, who presented the statement, acknowledged the gains made in the sector but noted that several challenges continue to hinder full implementation of planned activities.
PS Harsama gave a detailed address on the performance of GECA for the period spanning 2022/23 to 2024/25. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
The Principal Secretary for the State Department of ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, on Thursday chaired the General Economic and Commercial Affairs (GECA) Sector during the Public Sector Hearing for the 2026/27 financial year and the accompanying Medium-Term Budget cycle. This session was part of the government’s continued consultations toward shaping national spending priorities in the coming years.
PS Harsama gave a detailed address on the performance of GECA for the period spanning 2022/23 to 2024/25. He took participants through an analysis that compared the approved development and recurrent budgets with the actual expenditures over the three-year period. He emphasized that such a review was important to help the sector understand how the allocated funds were utilized and where efficiency or strategic adjustments had to be made.
The PS further highlighted the programmes currently being implemented under the sector and outlined GECA’s medium-term focus for the 2026/27–2028/29 period. As part of these projections, he shared the resource demands submitted by the sector and the allocations which had so far been provided, saying that at this planning stage there was a need to make sure that the interventions by GECA remained aligned to national development priorities.
The session also brought together the Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, who supported the sector’s unified position. She echoed GECA’s commitment to driving Kenya toward improved economic performance through increased competitiveness, innovation, and long-term sustainable and inclusive growth in all regions. Collectively, the two senior officials underlined the sector’s core contribution to economic transformation and the opening-up of opportunities to Kenyans.
PS Harsama, who presented the statement, acknowledged the gains made in the sector but noted that several challenges continue to hinder full implementation of planned activities. According to him, most of the emerging issues outside the initial projection require strategic interventions and can complicate budget execution.
Notwithstanding these challenges, the Principal Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in public expenditure. He underscored the fact that each and every investment under GECA has to realize measurable benefits that directly feed into the country’s long-term growth aspirations. Harsama reiterated that prudent management of public resources remains at the core of government operations and is significant for achieving meaningful development outcomes. This session was an important step in the national budget-making process whereby government officials and sector representatives were brought together to assess performance, refine priorities, and formalize funding needs for the coming financial year and beyond.
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