Uhuru dishes goodies in improved stimulus package

• Finance minister promises to put money directly into people’s pockets

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta read a Budget that promised to continue with his now well-established theme of dishing out goodies under an extension of the previous economic stimulus package.

The Sh22 billion package had come under criticism over non-implementation, but on Thursday he promised the State would create the machinery for absorption.

This time he appears more inclined toward putting money in individuals’ pockets to stimulate consumption while improving the welfare of Kenyans.

The main winner was North Eastern Province, which was awarded Sh16 billion in funding for construction of hospitals, dams and schools.

The government will also provide Sh200 million for electronic monitoring of herds in arid and semi-arid areas in an effort to foster security in the areas.

Besides Sh2 billion support for free primary education, Mr Kenyatta targeted Health with a number of goodies.

“To deal with post-harvest management and reduce losses to our hard working farmers, I have allocated Sh400 million toward purchase of fixed maize driers to be installed in maize growing areas not currently served,” he said, adding, he was allocating another Sh360 million to buy 30 mobile maize driers to ensure as many farmers are assisted to dry their maize.

Mr Kenyatta also allocated Sh525 million to install 15 rice mills.

He announced an additional Sh120 million for digging more fish ponds in 20 constituencies not included in the 28,000 units that are being built.

The previous programme involved nearly Sh1.2 billion in funding.

In his Budget, Mr Kenyatta allocated another Sh1.5 billion to support production of fish feed and breeding.

A further Sh400 million will go towards funding of fish processing centres, he said.

At the same time, beer drinkers in Siaya are unhappy following increased cost.

They said the price increase would block many people from watching the World Cup from their favourite drinking joints, as bar owners will inflate the prices. 

“If at my favourite joint, a 500ml bottle of Tusker beer goes for Sh90 and Guinness at Sh110, then what do you expect will be the price during the World Cup tournament?” Mr Nashon Omondi posed.

Meanwhile, the Sh1 trillion Budget unveiled by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has been described as a major step towards the ambitious Vision 2030.

Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya said Uhuru had given priority to sectors such as education, agriculture, health and infrastructure, which are the prime movers of the economy. 

Mr Oparanya said that the economy has to grow by 10 per cent for the Vision 2030 dream to be realised.