Highlights of KSh3.3Trillion Uhuru’s Final Budget

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yattani presented the country’s Ksh3.3 Trillion budget for the next financial year on Thursday, April 7, before the Parliament.

Due to Kenya having General Elections scheduled for August 2022, the budget had to come two months earlier. Yattani noted that Kenya had received approval from EAC members states to present its budget two months ahead of schedule.

During the presentation, Yattani emphasized the budget’s goal to drive speedy economic recovery from the effects of Covid-19. Furthermore, its other goal is to protect low and middle-class earners in the country.

The key highlights from the budget address are as follows;

Expenditure

Healthcare

The government will allocate a total of Sh146.8 billion for healthcare.

1. Sh62.3 billion for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
2. Sh7 billion for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.
3. Sh4.1 billion for maternal healthcare.
4. Sh5.2 billion for the purchase of equipment.
5. Sh16.2 billion to fight HIV/Aids, malaria, and tuberculosis.
6. Sh1.8 billion to provide medical cover for elderly and disabled persons.
7. Sh5.2 billion vaccines and immunisation programmes.
8. Sh18.1 billion for Kenyatta National Hospital.
9. Sh11.7 billion for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
10. Sh7.7 billion for Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).
11. Sh2.9 billion for Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
12. Sh1.1 billion for the construction of paediatrics and burns centre.
13. Sh1.3 billion for the construction of a cancer centre at Kisii Hospital.
14. Sh1.2 billion for procurement of family planning.
15. Sh300 million for radiotherapy equipment.
16. Sh619 million for procurement of equipment for the blood transfusion centre.

Education

The government has increased allocation to the education sector to Sh544.4 billion.

1. Pre-primary education will receive Sh12 billion in the proposed budget.
2. Sh2.5 billion will be used for teacher recruitment.
3. Sh64.4 billion will be used for free secondary day education and NHIF cover.
4. Sh5 billion for exam fees waiver for Grade 6 and Class 8 pupils.
5. Sh1.9 billion will go towards the school feeding programme.
6. Sh1.2 billion for the training of teachers on CBC.
7. Sh46 billion for the construction of CBC classrooms.
8. Sh310 million for the digital literacy programme.
9. Sh2.8 billion for TVET
10. Sh294.7 billion for TSC.

National Security

The Treasury has allocated Sh317.8billion for internal security, and national defence the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

1. Sh128.4 billion will go to defence.
2. Sh46.4 billion for NIS and Sh102.2billion for police and prison services.
3. Sh10.7 billion for leasing of police motor vehicles and Sh1billion for the police modernisation programme
4. Sh1billion for National Communication System.
5. Sh335 million for the national forensic laboratory.
6. Sh4.8billion for the insurance of police service and prison officers.
7. Sh2.3billion for Group personal insurance for police service and prison
8. Sh1billion for the National Integrated Management System.

Economy Digitization

1. Sh15.6 billion to fund initiatives in the Information, Communication and Technology sector.
2. Specifically, Sh620 million for Government Shared Services.
3. Sh5.2 billion for the Horizontal Infrastructure Phase I at Konza Technopolis City, and Sh3.8 billion for Konza Data Centre and Smart City Facilities.
4. Sh2.7 billion for maintenance and rehabilitation of last-mile connectivity network.
5. Sh1.2 billion for maintenance and rehabilitation of the National Optic Fibre Backbone Phase II Expansion Cable.
6. Sh1.4 billion for installation and commissioning of Eldoret-Nadapal Fibre Optic Cable.

Equity, Poverty Reduction, Women and Youth empowerment

1. Sh13.1 billion for the National Youth Service.
2.  Sh2.2 billion for the Kenya Youth Empowerment and Opportunities Project.
3. Sh175 million for the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
4. Sh170.0 million for the Women Enterprise Fund.
5. Sh92.0 million for the Youth Employment and Enterprise Fund.

Economic Risks

“The economic outlook may be affected by emerging domestic and external risks. On the domestic front, re-emergence of COVID-19 variants and possible adverse weather conditions could reverse the projected economic recovery.”

“On the external front, the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe has created uncertainties that will affect the global economic outlook through disruption of supply chains, rising global oil prices and increased inflationary pressures.”

Economic Stimulus Programme

“Building on the gains made under the first and second phase of the Economic Stimulus Programme, the government is implementing the third phase which is designed to accelerate the pace of the economic growth.”

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“In the third phase, the government is implementing 13 strategic interventions including the third phase of Kazi Mtaani programme to create employment for over 200,000 youths across the country, construction of additional 50 new level 3 hospitals in non-covered and densely populated areas across the country to enhance medical coverage support the livelihoods of farmers in the sugar belt, provision of fertilizer subsidy to small scale tea farmers and completion of the ongoing interventions in the coffee sub-sector. ”

Fiscal deficit

“We plan to reduce the level of fiscal deficit from 8.7% of GDP in the current budget to 7.5% of GDP in the financial year 2021/22 and further to 3.6% of GDP in the financial year 2024/25.”

Economic Outlook

“In 2022, the economy is projected to stabilise at 6.0% supported by the prevailing stable macroeconomic environment, favourable weather conditions to support agricultural output and drive food processing (manufacturing) and the continued recovery in industry and services.”

“Covid-19 vaccinations, which target 26 million people above 18 years by the end of the year, is expected to allow people greater interactions in business activities.”

Government Bonds

“We shall establish an electronic over the counter secondary market platform for government securities. This platform will help in deepening our domestic debt market. We expect operations of the over the counter to be in place by June 2022.”

Local Manufacturing

“In order to promote local manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, I propose to introduce VAT exemption on inputs used in the manufacture of medical ventilators and breathing appliances.”

Government Debt Burden

“I’m confident we are presenting a budget that is reflective of the current realities.”

Kenya Airways

“Kenya Airways plays an important role in the economic development of this country. The government will allocate funds for its restructuring costs.”