The Institute of Rural Development Planning Act

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CHAPTER 174
THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT
[PRINCIPAL LEGISLATION]
Arrangement of Sections
Section Title
part i
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
part ii
THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
3. Establishment of Institute.
4. Functions of Institute.
part iii
ADMINISTRATION
5. Council.
6. Council may appoint committees or establish boards.
7. Minister may give directions to Council.
8. Director.
9. Appointment of other employees of Institute.
10. Remuneration of members of Council.
11. Superannuation benefits.
part iv
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
12. Funds and resources of Institute.
13. Annual and supplementary budget.
14. Investment.
15. Accounts and audit.
16. Director’s report.
17. Laying of accounts and report before National Assembly.

l and supplementary budget.
14. Investment.
15. Accounts and audit.
16. Director’s report.
17. Laying of accounts and report before National Assembly.

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616
part v
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
18. Regulations.
19. Proceedings of Council not to be invalid by reason of irregularity.
20. Protection of members or employees of Council.
SCHEDULE

S
18. Regulations.
19. Proceedings of Council not to be invalid by reason of irregularity.
20. Protection of members or employees of Council.
SCHEDULE

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PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Institute of Rural Development
Planning Act. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -
“Chairman” means the Chairman of the Council and includes
any person who presides at any meeting of the Council;
“Council” means the governing Council of the Institute
established by section 5;
“Director” means the Director of the Institute appointed
under section 8;
“Institute” means the Institute of Rural Development
Planning established by section 3;
“member” in relation to the Council, means a member of the
Council and includes the Chairman;
“Minister” means the Minister responsible for regional
administration. PART II
THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL
DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
3.–(1) There is hereby established an Institute to be known as
the Institute of Rural Development Planning. Short title
Interpretation
Establishment of
Institute
CHAPTER 174
THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT
An Act to establish the Institute of Rural Development Planning. [1st February, 1980]
[s. 1]
Act No.

4
THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT
An Act to establish the Institute of Rural Development Planning. [1st February, 1980]
[s. 1]
Act No.

8 of 1980

8 of 1980

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618
(2) The Institute shall be a body corporate and shall-
(a) have perpetual succession and a common seal;
(b) in its corporate name, be capable of suing and being sued;
(c) be capable of purchasing and otherwise acquiring and
of alienating any movable or immovable property;
(d) subject to the provisions of this Act, have power to
borrow such sums of money as it may require for its
purposes. 4.

vable or immovable property;
(d) subject to the provisions of this Act, have power to
borrow such sums of money as it may require for its
purposes. 4.

The functions of the Institute shall be-
(a) to promote social and economic development by
providing opportunities for the study of, and training
in, the principles, techniques and their practical
application, in all aspects of rural development
planning;
(b) to provide facilities, places and centres of learning,
education, training and research in rural development
planning and such other related subjects and disciplines
as the Council may, decide;
(c) to conduct training programmes in all disciplines
relating to rural development planning including the
preparation, application and evaluation of development
programmes;
(d) to undertake, either alone or in association with any
other person or body of persons within or outside the
United Republic, research in methods and techniques
of improving regional and rural development planning;
(e) to monitor and co-ordinate research and training
programmes relating to rural development;
(f) to collect, publish or otherwise disseminate, data
and other information relating to rural development
including the publication of results of any research
carried out by the Institute;
(g) to sponsor, arrange or provide facilities for conferences,
seminars or symposia on subjects related to rural
development planning;
Functions of
Institute

sponsor, arrange or provide facilities for conferences,
seminars or symposia on subjects related to rural
development planning;
Functions of
Institute

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THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT [CAP. 174 R.E. 2023]
(h) to provide advisory, consultancy and other services to
the Government, organisations, villages and individuals
in matters relating to rural development planning;
(i) to prepare students for examinations as may be
conducted by the Institute and to grant such awards as
may be prescribed in accordance with this Act;
(j) to establish and maintain a system of consultation and
co-operation with any person or body of persons within
or outside the United Republic, engaged in activities
related to the functions of the Institute; and
(k) to perform any other function conferred upon the
Institute by this Act. PART III
ADMINISTRATION
5.–(1) There is hereby established a governing Council of the
Institute which shall be responsible for the management and
control of the affairs and business of the Institute.

tablished a governing Council of the
Institute which shall be responsible for the management and
control of the affairs and business of the Institute.

(2) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall have
effect as to the composition of the Council, the appointment
and tenure of office of its members, termination of their
appointments, the proceedings and other matters relating to
the Council. 6.–(1) The Council may, appoint or establish such committees
or boards as it may consider necessary and, subject to the
provisions of this Act and any directions given by the Minister
in that behalf, delegate to any of them any of its functions
under this Act. (2) The Council may appoint members of any Committee
or Board appointed or established under this section from
amongst its members, the employees of the Institute or from
amongst such other persons as it may consider necessary. (3) Where the Council appoints or establishes any
Committee or Board under this section, the Council shall elect
Council
Council
may appoint
committees or
establish boards

appoints or establishes any
Committee or Board under this section, the Council shall elect
Council
Council
may appoint
committees or
establish boards

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620
one of its members to be the Chairman of that Committee or
as the case may be, of that Board:
Provided that, where at any meeting of a Committee or
Board established under this section the Chairman is absent,
the Committee or Board may elect one of their number to be
the Chairman of that meeting. (4) The quorum necessary for the conduct of any business
of any Committee or Board appointed or established under
this section shall be fixed by the Council. (5) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a Committee or
Board appointed or established under this section may regulate
its own proceedings. 7. The Minister may give to the Council directions of a general
or specific character and the Council shall give effect to every
such direction. 8.–(1) The President shall appoint upon such terms and
conditions as he may specify, a Director of the Institute.

give effect to every
such direction. 8.–(1) The President shall appoint upon such terms and
conditions as he may specify, a Director of the Institute.

(2) The Director shall be the Chief Administrative and
Academic Officer of the Institute and shall be responsible to
the Council-
(a) for the administration of the Institute in accordance
with the policy laid down by the Council;
(b) for the management of the academic affairs of the
Institute in accordance with the policy laid down by
the Council;
(c) for the proper enforcement of regulations made by the
Council under section 18. 9.–(1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), the
Council may, appoint at such salaries and upon such terms
and conditions as it may consider fit, the academic staff,
the administrative staff and other employees of the Institute
as the Council may consider necessary for the proper
and efficient conduct of the activities and affairs of the
Institute. Minister may
give directions to
Council
Director
Appointment of
other employees
of Institute

t conduct of the activities and affairs of the
Institute. Minister may
give directions to
Council
Director
Appointment of
other employees
of Institute

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THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT [CAP. 174 R.E. 2023]
(2) The Council may, subject to such conditions and
restrictions as it may impose, delegate to the Director or any
other person the power to appoint any category or categories
of employees of the Institute. 10.–(1) Subject to subsection (2), the members shall be entitled
to such remuneration, fees or allowances as the Minister may,
upon the recommendation of the Council, prescribe. (2) Remuneration, fees or allowances except such allowances
for expenses as may be expressly authorised by the Minister
shall not be paid to any member of the Council who is a public
officer. 11.

uch allowances
for expenses as may be expressly authorised by the Minister
shall not be paid to any member of the Council who is a public
officer. 11.

Subject to any written law for the time being in force
relating to pensions, the Council may-
(a) grant gratuities or other retirement allowances or
benefits to the employees of the Institute;
(b) establish and contribute to a superannuation fund or a
medical benefits fund for the employees of the Institute;
(c) require any employee of the Institute to contribute
to the superannuation fund or medical benefits fund
and fix the amounts and methods of payment of the
contribution. PART IV
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
12. The funds and resources of the Institute shall consist of-
(a) such sums as may be provided by Parliament for
purposes of the Institute;
(b) such sums as may become payable to, or such property
as may vest in the Institute from any source or in any
manner. 13.–(1) Subject to subsection (2), “financial year” means any
period not exceeding twelve consecutive months designated
by the Council as the accounting period of the Institute. Remuneration
of members of
Council
Superannuation
benefits
Funds and
resources of
Institute
Annual and
supplementary
budget

g period of the Institute. Remuneration
of members of
Council
Superannuation
benefits
Funds and
resources of
Institute
Annual and
supplementary
budget

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622
(2) The Council shall, not less than two months before the
beginning of any financial year (other than the first financial
year) at its first meeting specially convened for that purpose,
pass a detailed budget (in this Act called the “annual budget”)
of the amounts respectively-
(a) expected to be received;
(b) expected to be disbursed,
by the Council during that financial year. (3) Where in any financial year, the Council is required
to make any disbursement not provided for, or of an amount
in excess of the amount provided for, in any annual budget,
the Council shall, at a meeting, pass a supplementary budget
detailing that disbursement. (4) The annual budget and every supplementary budget
shall be in such form and include such details as the Minister
may approve. (5) Immediately upon passing any annual budget or
supplementary budget, the Council shall submit the budget to
the Minister for his approval.

approve. (5) Immediately upon passing any annual budget or
supplementary budget, the Council shall submit the budget to
the Minister for his approval.

(6) Minister shall, upon receipt of the annual or
supplementary budget, approve the budget as submitted or
reject it or approve it subject to such amendments as he may
consider fit. (7) Where the Minister has approved any budget, the budget
shall be binding on the Council and the Council shall, subject
to the provisions of subsection (8), confine its disbursement
within the items and the amount contained in the applicable
estimates as approved by the Minister. (8) The Council may-
(a) with the sanction of the Minister in writing, make a
disbursement not provided for in any budget;
(b) from the amount of expenditure provided for in any
budget in respect of any item, transfer a sum not
exceeding two hundred thousand shillings to any other
item contained in the budget;

vided for in any
budget in respect of any item, transfer a sum not
exceeding two hundred thousand shillings to any other
item contained in the budget;

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THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT [CAP. 174 R.E. 2023]
(c) adjust expenditure limits to take account of
circumstances not reasonably foreseeable at the time
the budget was prepared, subject to submitting a
supplementary budget to the Minister within two
months of the adjustment of expenditure limits
becoming necessary. 14. With the prior approval of the Minister, the Council
may, invest any part of the moneys available in any fund of
the Institute and which is not for the time being required for
purposes of the business of the Institute in such investments as
are authorised investment under the Trustees Investment Act. 15.–(1) The Council shall cause to be provided and kept proper
books of accounts and records with respect to-
(a) the income, expenditure and other financial
transactions of the Institute;
(b) the assets and liabilities of the Institute,
and shall cause to be made out for every financial year, a
statement showing details of the income and expenditure and
the assets and liabilities of the Institute.

se to be made out for every financial year, a
statement showing details of the income and expenditure and
the assets and liabilities of the Institute.

(2) Not later than six months after the close of every financial
year, the statement of accounts and the statement of the assets
and liabilities of the Institute for that financial year shall be
audited by the Controller and Auditor-General. (3) As soon as the statements referred to in subsection (2)
have been audited, and in any case not later than six months
after the audit, the Council shall submit to the Minister a copy
of the audited statements together with the report on those
statements made by the auditors. (4) Every audited statement shall be placed before a meeting
of the Council and if adopted by the Council, shall be endorsed
with a certificate that it has been so adopted. 16. The Director shall, within six months after the close of every
financial year, make a report to the Minister on the activities of
the Institute during that financial year. Investment
Accounts and
audit
Director’s report
Cap. 53

, make a report to the Minister on the activities of
the Institute during that financial year. Investment
Accounts and
audit
Director’s report
Cap. 53

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624
17. The Minister shall, as soon as practicable, and in any case not
later than twelve months after the close of each financial year,
lay before the National Assembly, the following documents in
relation to that financial year-
(a) copies of the statements referred to in section 15(2);
(b) copies of the auditors’ report;
(c) copies of the Director’s report.

at financial year-
(a) copies of the statements referred to in section 15(2);
(b) copies of the auditors’ report;
(c) copies of the Director’s report.

PART V
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
18.–(1) The Council may, with the consent of the Minister,
make regulations for purposes of the better carrying
out of the objects and purposes of this Act and without
prejudice to the generality of this subsection, may make
regulations-
(a) prescribing diplomas, certificates and other awards
which may be conferred or granted by the Institute;
(b) prescribing the qualifications necessary for entry to the
Institute and the courses of instruction which may be
provided by the Institute;
(c) prescribing the prerequisites to the grant of any
diploma, certificate or other award;
(d) prescribing the manner in which diplomas, certificates
or other awards may be granted;
(e) regulating the conduct of examinations;
(f) prescribing fees for admission to the Institute;
(g) providing for and regulating disciplinary proceedings
against the employees and the students of the Institute;
(h) prescribing anything which may be prescribed under
this Act;
(i) providing for any matter or thing which, in the opinion
of the Council, is necessary for the furtherance of the
functions and objects of the Institute.

roviding for any matter or thing which, in the opinion
of the Council, is necessary for the furtherance of the
functions and objects of the Institute.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), regulations made under this
section shall be published in the Gazette. Laying of
accounts and
report before
National
Assembly
Regulations

section (3), regulations made under this
section shall be published in the Gazette. Laying of
accounts and
report before
National
Assembly
Regulations

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THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT [CAP. 174 R.E. 2023]
(3) Where any regulations made under subsection (1) are
not of general application the Council may, in addition to or
in lieu of publication in the Gazette, publish the regulations in
any manner which, in the opinion of the Council, will ensure
their contents are coming to the notice of the persons or
category of persons to whom they apply and of the members
of the public who might be affected by those regulations. 19. An act or proceeding of the Council shall not be invalid by
reason only of the number of the members not being complete
at the time of the act or proceeding or of any defect in the
appointment of any member or of the fact that any member
was at the time in question not qualified or entitled to act or to
take part in the proceedings. 20.

ment of any member or of the fact that any member
was at the time in question not qualified or entitled to act or to
take part in the proceedings. 20.

Without prejudice to the provisions of section 284A of the
Penal Code or the Public Officers (Recovery of Debts) Act an
act or thing done or omitted by any member of the Council or
any employee of the Institute shall not, if done or omitted bona
fide in the execution or purported execution of his duties as a
member of the Council or employee of the Institute, subject
that member or that employee of the Institute to any action,
liability or demand of any kind. SCHEDULE
(Made under section 5(2))
1. The Council shall consist of-
(a) a Chairman who shall be appointed by the President;
(b) the Director of the Institute; and
(c) not more than fifteen nor less than ten other members, who
shall be appointed by the Minister. 2.

resident;
(b) the Director of the Institute; and
(c) not more than fifteen nor less than ten other members, who
shall be appointed by the Minister. 2.

In appointing the members of the Council, the Minister shall
ensure that there is adequate representation on the Council of such
organisations and professional and academic bodies which are likely
to utilise or assist in the development of the skills and disciplines
to be promoted by the Institute and shall further ensure that, in his
opinion, every person appointed by him has the necessary experience
Proceedings of
Council not to be
invalid by reason
of irregularity
Protection of
members or
employees of
Council
Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Composition of
Council
Representation

ouncil not to be
invalid by reason
of irregularity
Protection of
members or
employees of
Council
Cap. 16
Cap. 76
Composition of
Council
Representation

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626
or qualification to enable him to make useful contribution to the
deliberations of the Council and to assist the Council in the discharge
of its functions. 3.–(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), every member shall, unless his
appointment is sooner determined by the appointing authority, or he
otherwise ceases to be a member, hold office for such period as may be
specified in his appointment or, if no period is so specified, for a period
of three years, and shall be eligible for re-appointment. (2) A person who is appointed a member by virtue of holding some
other office shall cease to be a member upon ceasing to hold that office. (3) A member other than a member referred to in subparagraph
(2) may at any time resign by giving notice in writing to the appointing
authority and from the date specified in the notice or if no date is so
specified, from the date of the receipt of the notice by the appointing
authority, he shall cease to be a member. 4.

in the notice or if no date is so
specified, from the date of the receipt of the notice by the appointing
authority, he shall cease to be a member. 4.

When any member is absent from three consecutive meetings of
the Council without reasonable excuse, the Council shall advise the
appointing authority of the fact and the appointing authority may, if
it deems fit, terminate the appointment of that member and appoint
another member in his place. 5. Where any member is, by reason of illness, absence from the United
Republic or any other sufficient cause, unable to perform his duties as a
member, the appointing authority may appoint a suitable person to be a
temporary member in his place and the temporary member shall cease
to hold office upon the resumption of office of the substantive member. 6. The Council shall elect one of their number to be the Vice-Chairman
and any member so elected shall, subject to his continuing to be a
member, hold office of Vice-Chairman for a term of one year from the
date of his appointment and shall be eligible for re- appointment. 7. The Director shall act as Secretary to the Council. 8.–(1) The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Council. (2) Where at any meeting of the Council the Chairman is absent, the
Vice-Chairman shall preside at that meeting.

eside at all meetings of the Council. (2) Where at any meeting of the Council the Chairman is absent, the
Vice-Chairman shall preside at that meeting.

(3) In the absence of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman at any
meeting of the Council, the members present shall from amongst their
number, appoint a temporary Chairman to preside at that meeting. (4) The Chairman of any meeting of the Council shall, in addition
to his deliberative vote, have a casting vote in the event of an equality
of votes. Tenure of
appointment
Absence from
three consecutive
meetings
Appointment
of temporary
member
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Power of
Chairman and
Vice-Chairman

ure of
appointment
Absence from
three consecutive
meetings
Appointment
of temporary
member
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Power of
Chairman and
Vice-Chairman

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THE INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ACT [CAP. 174 R.E. 2023]
9.–(1) Subject to any general or specific direction given by the Minister,
the Council shall ordinarily meet not less than four times during every
financial year and at such additional times as may be fixed by the
Chairman or, in his absence from the United Republic or where for any
reason he is unable to act, the Vice-Chairman:
Provided that, the Chairman or, in his absence from the United
Republic or where he is unable to act, the Vice-Chairman, shall, at the
request of at least seven members or at the direction of the Minister,
convene a special meeting within thirty days of the request or direction
by the Minister, given to him in writing. (2) The Secretary of the Council shall give to every member notice
in writing of the place and date of the meeting not less than ten days
before the date of the proposed meeting. 10. One half of the total number of the members shall form a quorum
for a meeting of the Council. 11.

en days
before the date of the proposed meeting. 10. One half of the total number of the members shall form a quorum
for a meeting of the Council. 11.

Subject to the provisions relating to a casting vote, all questions
at a meeting of the Council shall be decided by a majority of votes of
the members present and if any member abstains from voting on any
question, his vote shall be counted in the negative. 12. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Schedule, decisions may be
made by the Council without a meeting, by circulation of the relevant
papers among the members and the expression of the view of the
majority in writing in that behalf:
Provided that, any member shall be entitled to enquire any decision
to be deferred for consideration at a meeting of the Council. 13. Minutes of each meeting of the Council shall be kept and confirmed
by the Council at the next meeting and signed by the Chairman of that
meeting. 14.–(1) The official seal of the Institute shall be of such shape, size and
form as the Council may determine. (2) The official seal of the Institute shall not be affixed to any
instrument or document except in the presence of the Director or such
other employee of the Institute as the Director may appoint in that
behalf. 15.

instrument or document except in the presence of the Director or such
other employee of the Institute as the Director may appoint in that
behalf. 15.

All regulations, appointments, instruments or documents executed
by or on behalf of the Institute or the Council shall be sealed with the
official seal of the Institute and signed by-
(a) the Chairman;
(b) the Director; or
(c) any other employee or member of the Council authorised in
writing in that behalf by the Council. Meetings and
procedure
Quorum
Decisions of
Council
Decision by
circulation of
papers
Minutes of
meetings
Official seal of
Institute
Execution of
documents

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628
16. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Council may regulate
its own proceedings.
Council may
regulate its own
proceedings