• Currently, Kenyans are experiencing a high cost of living, high fuel prices, food insecurity, and business closure.
• Kenya's 2022/2023 budget is 3.3 trillion from Sh3.66 trillion in the 2021/22 Budget.
The budget is nothing but a detailed document that highlights how the government wants to earn and spend in a financial year.
This year, the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani will unveil how the government will undertake the use of public funds to give momentum to the economy.
During the presentation of the in Budget Policy Statement (BPS) 2022 which was passed by lawmakers last month, Yatani said the budget framework would focus on the Big Four Agenda.
He said priority will also be placed on post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategy and the strategic policy initiatives of the Government to accelerate growth, employment creation and poverty reduction.
Currently, Kenyans are experiencing a high cost of living, high fuel prices, food insecurity and business closures.
It is taxpayers’ wishes for the budget to introduce tax cuts on food and fuel, less loans and more expenditure on development projects.
The budget is looking at how the government will spend in the future, so will the supplementary budget save them?
Traditionally, the budget speech is read in the first or second week of June, but this year's has come two months to pave way for preparations of the August 9 general election.
This year's budget will be the last under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
The 2022-2023 budget is Sh3.31 trillion.
It will cover expenditure for the period between July 1, 2022, to June 31, 2023. Last year, the budget stood at Sh3.66 trillion.
In the 2020-2021 financial year, the budget stood at Sh2.79 trillion.
The preparation of the Budget document was undertaken by the National Treasury, whose role is to advise on fiscal expenditure and related matters.
After the budget is presented in Parliament, MPs will have to vote to adopt it or recommend the Treasury ministry where to make adjustments.
The real drama will unfold when Members of Parliament begin debating its contents.
Lawmakers seeking re-election will find it tricky to approve a Budget that pushes up the cost of living higher.
Image: CHARLENE MALWA
Supplementary Budget
This year's supplementary budget will prioritize drought mitigation measures.
Department for social protection will receive Sh2.4 billion for cash transfers to households in drought-stricken regions.
The Ministry of Defence will get Sh1.4 billion for Kenya Meat Commission for a livestock uptake program to cushion pastoralists from losses.
Department for devolution will get Sh1.2 billion for direct mitigation efforts such as water and relief food supply to hunger-stricken households.
Some Sh950 million for police recruitment to boost national security ahead of August polls.
A further Sh8.8 billion was allocated to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for adequate preparation for the general election.
Ministry of Education allocated an additional Sh2 billion to complete the construction of CBC classrooms and ensure a smooth transition from the 8-4-4 system.
Another Sh6.9 billion was allocated to the Teachers Service Commission to cater for teacher remuneration, training and related CBC implementation expenses.
Parliament will have to vote to approve the proposal or ask the finance ministry to adjust its spending plans.