News
Kenya lines up Sh17b economic push
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. PHOTO/File
Posted Thursday, February 4 2010 at 12:38
In Summary
- Sh13 billion will be released for the construction of schools, horticultural markets, jua kali sheds and public health centres
- Agriculture minister William Ruto says the stimulus package has helped the ministry reduce the maize production deficit this year.
The Kenya government has so far disbursed Sh3.25 billion for the implementation of various projects under the economic stimulus package.
A further Sh13 billion will be released for the construction of schools, horticultural markets, jua kali sheds and public health centres in all the 210 constituencies.
Briefing journalists, at a breakfast meeting held at the Serena Hotel, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said more than Sh17 billion will have been released for use before the end of the current financial year under the same programme.
Mr Kenyatta who was accompanied by a number of his Cabinet colleagues, however, said the implementation of the programme, which was expected end in December last year, was delayed due to various logistical problems.
“The development of an implementation framework took longer than expected due to the consultation with relevant stakeholders which partly contributed to the delay in kick starting the implementation of the Economic Stimulus Package,” said Mr Kenyatta.
He said selecting of projects had to be carefully done to ensure those chosen would have a rapid positive impact on the targeted population.
The economic stimulus package, also known as ESP, was launched in July 2009 to spur economy growth, which had almost stalled, due to the vagaries of weather and the after-effects of the infamous post-election violence. The two problems, had impacted negatively on the country’s agriculture-dependent economy, resulting in a decline in food production.
Mr Uhuru said tenders had already been awarded for the construction of public health centres, horticultural markets and jua kali sheds in 170 constituencies, which, he added, will cost the treasury about Sh5.6 billion.
The minister also announced the government was considering extending the ESP in the coming financial year.
“Since the programme’s aim is to spur economic growth through fiscal decentralization and equity in resource distribution, the government is considering including it in the next budget,” Mr Uhuru added.
Agriculture minister, William Ruto, said the stimulus package had helped the ministry reduce the maize production deficit, this year, from six million bags to four million. The country’s annual maize demand currently stands at about 33 million bags.
Mr Ruto expressed optimism that the agricultural sector, which was negatively affected by the pro-longed famine, would register growth saying good harvests were expected in Eastern, Coast and Western provinces.
He said the minister had used part of the stimulus package money to feed the hungry and also subsidise the prices of fertilizers.
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Submitted by rofiPosted February 05, 2010 09:50 AM
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Submitted by krugutt
There should be a development plan initiated at the cabinet level and sanctioned by parliament every year and made public so that wanainchi participate in the implementation of yearly development programs. These public pronouncements in hotels and without specifics of measurable outcomes and clear structures put in place to ensure that public funds are not only used in the intended purposes but accountability and transparency are upheld are uncalled for. Uhuru recently replaced the stolen FPE monies without the approval of parliament oversight organs. Uhuru-is-now-planning-to-disburse-huge-sum-of-monies-without-parliament-scrutinizing-the-specific-amount-and-intended-projects-at-the-lowest-administrative-unit-at-the-constituency-level. The kind-of-projects-that-will-benefit-from-billions-of-shillings-must-be-made-public-and-wananchi-made-aware-and-invited-to-partipate-in-the-implementation-process. Kazi-kwa-vijana-and-women-development-funds-have-not-be-transparently-utilized-because-the-expenditure-processes-were-shrouded-in-secrecy-and-these-have-not-spurred-growth-and-development! We-don’t-want-to-wake-up-later-to-find-out-that-somebody-stashed-away-billions-of-shillings-for-2012-campaign-purposes.
Posted February 05, 2010 07:02 AM -
Submitted by Edkobu
We the Kenyan people have always been treated like cows in the field waiting to be milked by our leaders! As long as our Politicians continue to think our money can just be spilled to corruption ......we will always get shafted. But sooner or later the chickens will come home to roost!
Posted February 05, 2010 04:07 AM -
Submitted by proundeastafrican
Why is Uhuru holding a news conference at Serena. He has a well furnished office at the treasury that is well funded by the taxpayers which he is not part of. These are some of the behaviours by our politians that will continue to economically enslave Africans people
Posted February 05, 2010 01:44 AM -
Submitted by maghreb
Am not sure if Parliament approved this program. Anyway the fact is , building jua kali sheds and hospitals are normal activities of various ministries that has nothing to do with stimulus package. I hear nothing about specific growth targets within a timeframe. The 17b will not spur any sustainnable growth but line up big brothers pockets for 2012
Posted February 04, 2010 08:35 PM
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I believe that 99% of all government funds are misappropriated. I know that I am not alone thinking like that and a national referendum would prove me right! I dare the government to carry out one, wajionee wenyewe.