National Treasury Njuguna Ndung’u has told Kenyans that the government listened and acted on their concerns raised during the budget hearings.
The CS said that the Kenya Kwanza government had taken into considerations there fears while crafting the 2024/25 budget.
“We want to tell Kenyans that we listened and will address their concerns in this budget,’’ Ndungú said when he presented the 2024/25 budget highlights.
The CS said that during the public participation hearings, Kenyans wanted the government to address five issue: Taxation, addressing effects of flooding, dealing with unemployment, addressing challenges of vulnerable Kenyans and reduction of wastage at both levels of government.
“During the budget making process, we gave Kenyans an opportunity to present their views, Kenyans responded to our call and requested government to address their concerns,’’ he said.
Saying that the budget was prepared on the background of the gains made since the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent floods that ravaged the country, Ngung’u termed the budget good for Kenyans.
The CS said that the government will continue to remain on the fiscal consolidation path with the aim of slowing down debts without compromising economic growth.
“Will continue to target domestic revenue mobilisation and rationalization of spending through improved financial management while allocating resources to priority areas,’’ he said.
The CS made the remarks in the background of public uproar over the government's proposed revenue-raising measures contained in the Finance Bill, 2024.
A section of Kenyans have termed the Finance Bill, 2024 as draconian and insensitive, saying it is targeting to further to milk money from their pockets despite the economy's poor show.
The Azimio coalition has threatened to shoot down the Bill when it is tabled in Parliament next week terming it punitive.
National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed said on Thursday that they will seek to rally their members to stand against the bill when it is tabled
"Asking for a trip out of the country for the minority side is a no-go zone from next week,’’ the Suna East MP said ahead of the budget reading.
The MP described the proposed Finance Bill, 2024 as draconian and punitive saying it flies in the face of the Kenya Kwanza’s promise to lower the cost of living.
“The budget that they will table is just a dream on how they will spend the money, the rubber will meet the road when they bring the Finance Bill, 2024,’’ the MP said.