KENYA, Nairobi – Kenyans have mixed reactions to the Sh4 trillion budget presented before the National Assembly by Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning Njuguna Ndung’u.
This is the second budget of the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration, which President William Ruto leads.
CS Njuguna’s statement was presented by Standing Order No.42, 41 of the National Assembly and Section 40 of the Public Finance Management Act 2012.
The government affirmed its commitment to the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) through the budget.
“This is evidenced by the budgetary allocations made for the cluster areas in our 2024/2025 budget,” said CS Ndung’u, who was received at Parliament buildings by the Chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee Ndindi Nyoro, among other legislators.
Why Kenyans should be worried
CS Njuguna Ndung’u told Kenyans that the moment they see a more significant fiscal deficit, they know the government will finance that budget through borrowing, which can contribute to instability in the future.
“So, we must say, how many resources do we have? How can we limit that gap? And that is where, after due consideration and after going through and checking all our resources, we have said that we have to live with that. That is what is likely to support growth,” he explained.
While reacting to the budget, Public Service, Performance, and Delivery Management Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria observed that the most important aspect of the budget is that the ruling administration is making the ‘right decision’.
“The other government kept making decisions that made people happy and cheered. But for us, we are not making politically expedient and popular decisions. We are making the right decisions, and over time, we shall be vindicated, unlike the last regime, which made decisions to make people happy,” said CS Kuria.
On his part, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya said he was impressed that the Youth Enterprise Fund has been considered.
“The Fund had consistent structures in that one could see how it empowered young people, just like the Women Entrepreneurship Fund. These were of greater importance than the Hustler Fund. So, when I saw that they had been factored in, I was so happy,” said Salasya.
What Kenyans on X said about the 2024/25 Budget
Meanwhile, while taking on X, @PatrickNyabuti said:
“This government has proved beyond doubt that they are only interested in pleasing the debt masters. We hardly have any money in our pockets, and all they want is tax, tax, tax. They have a high affinity for borrowing and overspending.”
On his part, @Berado_B wrote:
“Whoever votes for the finance bill is a public enemy, whoever absconds from attending the house is a public enemy, whoever does not vote “NO” is a public enemy, whoever thinks it will pass is a public enemy.”
Homa Bay Woman Representative Atieno Bensouda insisted that she would pre-vote before the finance bill is brought next week to the floor of the House.
“My vote is no to the finance bill. This budget is unsustainable and unrealistic for Kenyans. You want to tax an unemployed country, a country that is not healthy, no drugs in the hospitals, the nurses are out on the streets, our JSS teachers are sacked, yet you are talking of a KSh 4 trillion budget? We are just joking,” she said.
Y News understands that the proposed budget will undergo parliamentary scrutiny and debate, which may result in changes to the allocations and revenue measures proposed.
