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{
    "id": 420261,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/420261/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "s",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, let me go to a review of how the 2014/2015 BPS responds to medium-term to long-term challenges. The economy faces several policy challenges such as the high appetite for expenditure from most spending agencies. These include a high wage bill. At its current growth levels, the public wage bill remains totally unsustainable as well as providing adequate infrastructure to support economic growth. The Budget and Appropriations Committee observed that the external balance – the difference between imports and export – will shift favourably for Kenya from negative 9.6 per cent of GDP in 2013/2014 Financial Year to negative 8.8 per cent of GDP in the next financial year. Simply put, either exports are scheduled to increase or imports are set to decline. This is a positive trend. However, my Committee noted that the BPS projects exports will remain stable at 25 per cent of GDP from the current financial year. The BPS further projects a marginal decline in imports from 40.2 per cent of GDP to 39 per cent of GDP; which, combined, are unlikely to address current account balance as projected. It is also not clear to my Committee what policy prescriptions would drive either of these variables to narrow the current account balance. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the Budget and Appropriations Committee further noted that the BPS projects an increase in wages and benefits for the Civil Service by 12.4 per cent, from Kshs263 billion to Kshs295.7 billion in Financial Years 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, respectively. This is an indicator of upward movement of wages at the national level despite the devolving of several functions to the counties and the movement of personnel to follow functions. This would go against the pronouncement of this House. It also goes counter to policy prescriptions from the Executive that the wage bill of the Government be stayed, pending the outcome of the ongoing national debate or dialogue. The Committee further noted that the Road Transport Programme is set to have a decrease in resources by Kshs11 billion, from Kshs101 billion in Financial Year 2013/2014. The Rail Transport Programme will more than double in allocation to Kshs45 billion. This may be taken as a re-orientation of priorities within the transport sector towards rail transport, which is in crucial need of resources. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}