The Universal health care program has received a boost in the budget allocation that was presented by the treasury CS Ukuru Yatani.
The CS has allocated Ksh. 62.3 billion to cater for the Universal health care program after the launch of the UHC countrywide.
The allocation is from the larger Ksh 146.8 billion that has been allocated to the healthcare sector that will include Ksh 7 billion for COVID-19 vaccines and other related equipment .
Reacting to the budget statement, Nyando MP questioned the Ksh. 7 billion allocation to the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines and other equipment even with a low infection rate in the country.
Social protection fund has also been boosted by Ksh. 5 billion to Ksh. 39.5 billion ,where more elderly and vulnerable persons will be captured in the monthly cash transfers and support.
The CS also recommended allocation of Ksh. 46.7B for food security, Ksh. 4.2B for inclusivity and Ksh. 1.9B for emergency locust response
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC has been allocated Ksh. 21.7 Billion to facilitate the 2022 General Election.
This is an addition of Ksh. 22.9 billion that was allocated in the current financial year to cater for the coming general election.
Meanwhile, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has been allocated 3.6 Billion shillings while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was allocated 3.4 Billion shillings.
Yatani says, this is to ensure such institutions carry out their mandates with transparency and accountability for Kenyans.
The government also allocated Ksh. 3 Billion to subsidize fertilizer cost in addition to the Ksh.3.4 billion that Agriculture SC Peter Munya announced from the supplementary budget .
An addition of Ksh. 46.7 Billion has also been allocated for food security programs in the agriculture sector.
On matters education, the Treasury CS says the government rolled out radical reforms in the education sector, to address the quality of education in the country.
This saw the sector record an increase in the number of both primary and secondary schools between 2012 and 2020.
The transition rate from primary to secondary schools is now at 100 percent, from 64.5 percent in 2012.
Technical and vocational training institutions also increased within the same period.
Meanwhile, Ksh. 4 Billion has been set aside to support the construction of CBC classrooms as Yatani proposed 544 Billions shillings to support education programmes
On the pressing issue of cost of living, the CS said the treasury avoided raising any taxes adding that the allocation of funds to subsidize fertilizer will help farmers in production.
Speaking after the statement presentation in parliament ,Treasury PS Julius Muia added the order for ministries and counties to pay pending bills will be a boost to businesses.
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