The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) in Kenya was established in 2007 as a unit under the Directorate of Information and Research Services. Its formation was later formalized through the Fiscal Management Act of 2009 (FMA) and later incorporated into the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2012.
The PBO is part of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) and provides expert financial, economic, and budgetary analysis to support Parliamentary Committees and MPs in decision-making.
🔹 Functions of the Parliamentary Budget Office in Kenya
The main role of the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) is to offer professional financial and economic advice to Parliament and its relevant committees. Its specific functions include:
✅ Providing professional budget, finance, and economic services to Parliament.
✅ Preparing reports on budgetary projections and economic forecasts and presenting them to Parliamentary Committees responsible for budgetary matters.
✅ Analyzing specific financial issues and risks associated with government policies and economic activities.
✅ Reviewing and evaluating budget proposals from the National Treasury and County Treasuries, making recommendations to the relevant committees in Parliament.
✅ Establishing collaborations with key financial and economic institutions, including the National Treasury, county treasuries, and international organizations to enhance effective budgetary analysis.
✅ Ensuring that reports and documents produced by the PBO are published and publicized within 14 days of production, in compliance with Article 35 of the Constitution (Right to Access Information).
✅ Evaluating and reporting on any Bills tabled in Parliament that have economic or financial implications—ensuring that they align with fiscal responsibility principles and the objectives set in the Budget Policy Statement.
✅ Proposing alternative fiscal frameworks where necessary, to guide government revenue and expenditure policies.
✅ Encouraging public participation in budgetary matters, as required by the Constitution.
📌 Conclusion
The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) plays a crucial role in advising Parliament on financial, economic, and budgetary matters. It helps legislators make informed decisions about the national budget, fiscal policies, and government spending. By ensuring transparency, fiscal discipline, and accountability, the PBO supports effective governance and economic stability in Kenya. 🚀
