As Kenyans continue to mull over the possible impacts of the recently announced budget proposals, residents of Nairobi have expressed mixed reactions.
A post budget spot-check by the Star has revealed that a majority of Nairobi residents interviewed said they did not follow the live proceedings of budget presentation.
However, those who did, like Aldieri Mulaa said his key take away was the proposal to adopt the accrual accounting for counties which he says will contribute to more transparency.
“Though I didn’t listen to whole of the speech, I heard the bit he spoke about accounting and the increase in disbursement to counties. That has been my key take away,” Mulaa said.
Shadrack Musumba said the budget is not Mwananchi-friendly, noting that President William Ruto's bottom up narrative has duped Kenyans.
“They have allocated State House and the office of the deputy president billions, a burden that is being carried by the taxpayer,” Musumba said.
“Most of informal businesses use M-pesa, the increase in transaction cost is a burden to members of the public."
Kassim Wako says he followed the budget and maintains that some of the proposals contained are not adhered to despite the government words.
“They said they stopped hiring in 2021 yet they will approve the CAS position and back date their payment for the work they were not doing. The best way to cut government spending is to do away with CAS position, it's almost two years since the Kenya Kwanza came into government and those CAS have not been working and so far government is working without them,” Wako said.
Allan Mbogo faulted the state officials who have been taking credit for the drop in prices of food commodities.
“The prices of unga went down simply because there was enough rainfall na watu wakavuna, I eat ugali juu tulivuna vizuri last season, kwani ni hao ndiyo walileta mvua? it's not good to take credit that you don't deserve,” Mbogo said.