SAM’S SENSE: Government (in)efficiency

I reflect on the efficiency with which government appears to move lately. It is fascinating how fast those in government can move to implement change. I take special note that three days after President William Ruto signed into law the Finance Bill of 2023, the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) is ready to release the new pump prices of petroleum products without waiting for July 14th. You see, this will facilitate the government to achieve its revenue target of Ksh.51 billion from the review of VAT on fuel, to be paid for by Kenyans The whole journey of the Finance Act 2023 has been one of record efficiency. You see, Parliament invited views from the public and closed receipt of written memoranda by May 20th. In just two weeks, the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee managed to hear hundreds of Kenyans and read dozens of e-mails sent to them. In just over a weekend, the committee was able to synthesize the views of the public contained in 3,000 pages of documents at a hotel in Naivasha, made possible by the efficiency of the Parliamentary Service Commission.