Kenya's election to goggle up Sh15B-Githae

Written By:KNA,    Posted: Sun, Apr 15, 2012

The Finance Minister will on Tuesday table the budget estimates Finance Minister Njeru Githae has said he will table the budget policy paper once parliament resumes to comply with the deadline set by the constitution. He said the exchequer will face heavy spending due to the coming general elections, funding of the military in the Somali war and employment of new teachers and nurses. Githae revealed that budget estimates will be tabled in parliament on Tuesday, April 17 and will seek between Sh10 and Sh15 Billion to fund the polls to held under the new law dispensation. "We must do a lot of balancing of our spending as the country has still to set aside money for infrastructure development and other major projects to drive the economy," said the minister. He made the remarks at the ACK Kiabarikiri Church hall in Kirinyaga Central District where he held a meeting with Kirinyaga County leaders to discuss political and development issues. The Ndia Mp further said the treasury will for the first time allocate funds for the bi cameral house since the national assembly and senate must be operational after the anticipated March 4 elections. Githae said there were 15 constitutional offices that required to be funded adding that spending is likely to go high in the 2012/2013 fiscal year. Last week, Treasury was criticized for failing to comply with the constitution by failing to table a budget policy by March 1 every year for scrutiny by parliament. Githae said the ministry has no ill intention to defy the law adding that the Finance Bill was also ready for tabling before the August House by 30th April to legalize some taxes imposed during the budget reading last June. "I have directed the ministry officials to ensure all deadlines set by the constitution be met as we do not want to breach the law as laid down," said the minister. Teachers and nurses have been pressing the government to hire more staff due to chronic shortage in both public sectors which has compromised delivery of services.