Budget speech to go on, assures PM

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (centre) meets residents of Rangenyo during the launch of Greening Kenya Initiative at Nkora Forest in the district June 3, 2011. He is with Public Works Minister Chris Obure (right). TOM OTIENO

By ABIUD OCHIENG’ aochieng@ke.nationmedia.com and HENRY NYARORA hnyarora@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, June 3 2011 at 19:24

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has given assurance that the Budget reading on Wednesday will proceed as planned.

Mr Odinga said that the legal requirement that the Finance Minister presents this year’s Budget estimates to Parliament two months before reading the Budget, would take effect after the next General Election.

“There is a new policy in the Constitution that requires the Budget estimates to be made public to Parliament before the actual reading. This should, however, take effect after the next elections,” he said.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende is expected to make a ruling on the issue in Parliament on Tuesday.

Mr Odinga called on MPs planning to block Mr Kenyatta from reading the Budget to shelve their plans so that funds could be made available to support development projects.

Speaking in Rangenyo Primary School in Nyamira County, the PM said the new Constitution would create an opportunity for equitable development across the country through counties.

“The era of carrying a briefcase as a ceremony to mark the Budget Day is soon coming to an end when the new Constitution takes effect after the next elections,” Mr Odinga said.

He urged Kenyans to elect leaders ready to serve the public interest.

“Those who opposed the new Constitution claimed it will result in the public losing land, but I would wish to reiterate that public land will be managed at the county level and not the central government. The document also says abortion is illegal as opposed to their claims that it will encourage women to abort,” he said.

He thanked Kisii residents for supporting ODM and said he was ready to serve Kenyans if given opportunity in next year’s General Election.

Public Works Minister Chris Obure and Public Health assistant minister James Gesami  assured the PM that the Kisii community would support him in his quest for presidency.