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Elections shouldn’t interfere with budget process – DP Ruto says

Ruto says the election is not a crisis since it is in the Constitution and no government development agenda should halt or delay/DPPS

Ruto says the election is not a crisis since it is in the Constitution and no government development agenda should halt or delay/DPPS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 27- Deputy President William Ruto has warned against any interference of government development programs in the name of the coming General Election especially the preparation of the 2017/2018 budget.

Ruto says the election is not a crisis since it is in the Constitution and no government development agenda should halt or delay.

He has asked the National Treasury to consult extensively especially with Parliament on the actual dates for the next budget reading to make sure it is done in time and is not affected by elections.

“We expect that the fact that we are going to have a general elections in 2017, which we have known for the last four years, should not become and emergency or a crisis for the country. The rest of rest of the government agenda should move forward,” Ruto said.

Ruto has challenged all budget working sector groups to ensure that the current budget is also being implemented even as the focus start shifting on the preparation for the next.

He has also warned against wasteful request for resources by government agencies adding that this will not be encouraged in the next budget. The Treasury plans to set budget expenditure ceilings by September this year which will not be revised once passed.

“The ceilings will be set based on our realistic projection of our revenue performance and our ability to borrow as guided by our Debt Sustainability Analysis,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said. “All accounting officers will therefore be required to respect this hard budget constraint and stay within the set ceilings as you compete for resources within your respective sectors.”

Rotich says the budget process has been revised and has kicked on with much work being expected to be done by January next year.

They were both speaking during the launch of the budget process for Full Year 2017/2018.

“As you have noticed, we have revised our budget calendar to enable the current Parliament approve the FY 2017/18 Budget Estimates, in view of the fourth coming 2017 General Elections scheduled for August. The objective is to ensure that the budget for the 2017/18 is appropriated in good time for smooth operation of the budget before and after the 2017 general election,” Rotich added.

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