NAIROBI, Kenya, October 13 – The National Treasury Wednesday launched two-day public hearings for the financial year 2022/23 budget and medium-term Budget Sector Proposals (BPS).
The budget preparation exercise for the next financial year comes earlier than usual so that it is passed before the Parliament which adjourns in March to allow for campaigns ahead of the 2022 August 9 polls.
Through a statement, Treasury CS Ukur Yattani noted that sector working groups will make their submissions for at least two weeks so that adequate review, scrutiny, and approval is done.
“The medium-term budget proposals indicate the integrated development plans over the medium term and are key in determining financial and economic policies and priorities which inform the budget policy statement,” Treasury said.
The BPS will be approved by parliament as the basis for the preparation of the next financial year and the medium-term budget estimates.
“We urged the public to provide views and recommendations on the budget proposals and other relevant information that will be required for the finalization of the BPS,” the ministry said.
Representatives in the health, social protection, culture, and recreation, and the general economic and commercial affairs sectors were expected to make their submissions on Wednesday.
Energy, infrastructure and ICT, public administration and international relations, environmental protection, water, and natural resources sector leaders will present their proposals on Thursday
On Friday, representatives in the agriculture, rural and urban development, education and governance, justice, law, and order sectors will make their submissions.
In his remarks, Kanini Kega, the chairperson of, budget and appropriations committee of Parliament said “it is imperative that the outputs of this public participation exercise are considered and factored into not just the 2022 Budget Policy Statement but are also prioritized in the final budget proposal.
“It’s my belief, that the sector working groups have undertaken proper project evaluation and prioritization to ensure that resources are allocated to viable, realistic, and high-impact projects. This is the only way to ensure such projects catalyze economic growth while guaranteeing citizens value for their money,” he added.
Kega further fronted for the recognition of the youth in next year’s budget noting that all Government’s agenda needs to be upscaled with an aim of absorbing more young people.
“Youth Empowerment remains a key priority of the president. It’s, therefore, my expectation that through the 2022/23 budget, we shall continue to support and promote youth empowerment initiatives to ensure that our youth are continuously engaged in productive and remunerative economic activities,” he said.