INAUGURAL ICPAK SYMPOSIUM ON GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND DEVOLUTION SCORECARD

THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA

(established under the Accountant Act, Laws of Kenya)

INAUGURAL ICPAK SYMPOSIUM ON GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND DEVOLUTION SCORE CARD

Theme: Celebrating Economic Milestones – Recalibrating the Future

Date: 21^st – 22^nd November 2018

Venue: Hilton Hotel

1.0  PREAMBLE

Governments world over are the largest buyers, largest employers and even largest consumers in their respective countries. Actions of the government therefore are not only significant by sheer volume but most importantly they direct resources towards achieving set out national goals.  Citizens are afforded opportunity to participate in setting national priorities through electing governments and national assembly that in return interrogate and approve national spending plans.  This inaugural conference on government expenditure and devolution, a precursor to the Economic Symposium is planned to ignite candid discussions on the macro-economic fundamentals of Kenya.  Towards this end, the following topics are proposed:

 Fiscal Policy; Expand, Sustain or Contract?

Since inauguration of the Jubilee Administration, the state has engaged in large infrastructure projects buoyed by stable tax and other government revenues with the balance being plugged in by borrowing. This presentation will review if the expansion model remains apt or it is time to adopt a more conservative model.

County Integrated Development Plans & Annual Development Budgets

County Governments have longer term plans expressed through CIDPs and executed from year to year basis through their annual budgets. A need exists for synchronization for all the planning documents at the county level as well as the development trajectory at the national level presently encapsulated in the Big 4 Agenda. This presentation will review efforts made in this regard and make suggestions on better synergy between and among the various levels of government. Using a case study of Nairobi and Makueni counties, delegates will interrogate budget making processes noting areas for input and participation by professional accountants –

2017/2018 Budget Execution

Traditionally, the Accountancy profession has participated in the budget making process largely via submissions during the budget making process and little else after. This presentation will interrogate the immediate past government budget, key is to establish were the intentions achieved? Was the budget implemented as projected? Were the supplementary estimates aligned or did we end up on a journey separate from the one envisaged? Did the state keep its promises?

Revisiting Devolution

Constitution of Kenya envisaged complimentary, consultative interdependence between National and County levels yet in reality the two levels are characterized by acrimony more than anything else.  This panel discussion will seek to answer the following questions;

1. Should we nationalize the Health Function?
2. Are the collaboration mechanisms between national and county government working? What more needs to be done
3. Roads? Why the delay to let go by the National Government?

Government Accountability and Credibility in Reporting

The ideal remains for the government to embrace fully IPSAS accrual with its trading entities applying IFRS hence creating a platform for Kenya’s Consolidated/Combined Financial Statements. While efforts in this regard are ongoing, we shall in this presentation ask the poignant question; is the end in sight, are the milestones being made or is this a never-ending story

Devolution and Fiscal Decentralization in Kenya; Past, Present and the Future

Kenya boasts of one of the most elaborate budget making process giving professional accountants numerous opportunities to participate and influence course. Having done so for the current fiscal year this presentation will look at the budget this far and ponder on the following;

1. are we on track on uptake?
2. disbursement to counties this far,
3. tax and non-tax revenue collections this far,
4. spending priorities that were outlined in the budget; are we on course?
5. Does decentralization equal development?

 Forward Planning – 2019/2022 MTEF Cycle

Through group discussions closely mirroring the Sectoral Working Groups on the national budget, delegates we reflect on what to expect on 2019/2022, areas in which voice of professionals in the budget making process needs to be amplified. After the presentations, a panel of experts comprising an Accountant, a Tax Specialist and an Economist shall harness the thoughts and prepare an engagement paper that ICPAK will use in advising the Cabinet Secretary for Finance in the ongoing budget making process.

Survey: Accountants Outlook on the Kenyan Economy

Delegates will participate in a survey carefully designed to capture their perspectives on the economy for 2019. The survey will focus on some selected macro- economic indicators and their projections for 2019.

2.0  FINANCIAL COMMITMENT

The seminar charges for the Government Expenditure and Devolution Score Card are as follows:

 These charges cover seminar fees, writing material and meals during the seminar.

3.0  CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNITS

Members of ICPAK and other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 14 CPD units upon successful attendance.

4.0  NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AUTHORITY Reimbursement

The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website (www.nita.go.ke).

5.0 SPONSORSHIP/PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The Institute through the Business Development Department shall reach out to potential partners to sponsor this event. A sponsorship package outlining different categories will be developed to guide the process. Those interested in sponsoring this event can reach us through raphael.nguli@icpak.com.

Other requests for information can be channeled to us via telephone on +254 719 074100/129/306/307 or via email to makokha.wanjala@icpak.com /judith.wambura@icpak.com

We encourage you to regularly visit our website www.icpak.com for updates on the Conference