President William Ruto has initiated a key governance strategy focusing on international trade by appointing five Cabinet Secretaries to the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council, which will oversee the historic Kenya-EU trade deal. While the EPA grants Kenyan exporters tariff-free access to the €13 trillion EU market—a potential revolution for Kenyan trade—this action highlights a persistent and costly issue in Kenyan governance: the proliferation of committees. The EPA Council, co-chaired by Investment, Trade, and Industry CS Salim Mvurya (along with CSs Musalia Mudavadi, John Mbadi, Andrew Karanja, and Adan Duale), is crucial, but the wider trend of committees across government levels often translates into significant public fund expenditure on allowances, risking redundancy and diverting resources from essential services like healthcare and infrastructure. The Presidency must rethink this committee-heavy approach to ensure fiscal discipline and maximize the impact of taxpayer money.
The EPA Council, established as the highest decision-making body for implementing the trade agreement, is tasked with creating systems for trade facilitation, dispute resolution, and sustainable development. It also aims to advance supply chain relationships, trade finance innovations, and green goods and services.
The Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in Nairobi in December 2023, grants Kenyan exporters tariff-free access to the 27-country, €13 trillion EU market. While this deal could revolutionize Kenyan trade, the formation of committees like the EPA Council raises questions about the broader trend of governance through committees.
The Cost of Committees
While committees like the EPA Council have critical roles, their operations often come with a hefty price tag, primarily in the form of allowances. Members attend numerous meetings, workshops, and field visits, all of which come with significant perks. This practice has turned committees into cash cows, consuming public funds that might otherwise address pressing issues like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Moreover, the proliferation of committees at every level of governance risks redundancy and inefficiency. Multiple councils, boards, and commissions often overlap in their mandates, creating bureaucratic bottlenecks while ballooning operational costs.
Are Committees Always Necessary?
Kenya needs to rethink its approach to governance. While certain councils, like the EPA Council, are undeniably crucial for trade agreements and international relations, others might not justify their costs. Streamlining governance could reduce unnecessary expenses, ensuring public funds are spent effectively.
As Kenya positions itself as a global trade hub, achieving this vision shouldn’t come at the expense of fiscal discipline. Decision-makers must weigh the benefits of committees against their costs, ensuring that taxpayer money is used for maximum impact.
