APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA Other Reforms 338. Other important PFM reforms include the introduction of Treasury Single Account by the national and county governments. In order to improve cash management practices, harmonized unitary charts of accounts have been instituted. Comprehensiveness of Budget and Public Access to Information 339. The budget of the national government is fairly comprehensive to enable the parliament and the public to scrutinize the budget proposals. However, there is scope for improvement, as some of the PEFA indicators were not met. Public access to fiscal information has improved. Expenditure Tracking 340. There is improved tracking of budget implementation. The Government, in collaboration with European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaftfur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), carried out a study in 2012 to assess the public expenditure and the degree of financial accountability and transparency. The PEFA evaluation apparatus, which is internationally recognized, was employed. This assessment, for example, helped to determine the extent to which the budget has been realistic and checks whether it is implemented as intended. It also enables one to gauge the extent of fiscal discipline. Parliamentary Oversight and Public Participation 341. The Constitution and the PFM Act 2012 have transferred important public finance responsibilities from the executive and Treasury to parliament, both at the national and county government levels. Public participation in economic policy making is stressed in the constitution and PFM Act 2012. For example, at the county level, there is the County Budget and Economic Forum comprising the Governor, the County Executive Committee, and several persons from the business community, labour, women, PWDs and professional organisations. Overall, participation in economic decision making has improved relative to 2006. Plan-Budget Link 342. Policy-based budgeting is being embraced. This is because it facilitates fiscal and financial management. The national government has attempted to prepare its annual budget within the framework of medium term expenditure framework (MTEF). | 159 |