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{
    "id": 728658,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/728658/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 131,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Henry Rotich",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13142,
        "legal_name": "Henry Rotich",
        "slug": "henry-rotich"
    },
    "content": "Kshs1.515.5 bilion in 2016/2017, a 51 percent increase. Since 2013, our economy has generated a total of 2.3 million new jobs. In 2015 alone, 841, 600 new jobs were created with similar levels expected in 2016. Kenyans and their properties are more secure today following the heavy investment in the security sector – The number of police vehicles has risen from 3,155 in 2013 to 6,363 in 2017. Hon. Speaker, with regard to infrastructure, the movement of goods and people around the country has been made cheaper and more effective through expansion of most roads, seaports and airports. On the SGR, after going over a century without a modern rail, we have in three years, constructed a modern railway that will have significant positive spill-over effects on the economy. Today, more than 5.2 million Kenyans have been connected to electricity compared to 2.3 million in 2013. In four years, we have connected more Kenyans to the grid than in all years since Independence! This is a remarkable achievement. At the sectoral level, more of our farmers now have access to subsidised fertiliser and seeds, enabling them to increase productivity of their lands, earn more incomes and indeed make Kenya more food secure. Reflecting on our investment in security, the tourism sector, which was shrinking by 4.6 percent in 2013 is now expanding by 15 percent and creating jobs for our youth and women. We have also invested heavily in critical social sectors as well as on the less fortunate. We have equipped our hospitals with specialised medical equipment, and maternal healthcare is now free in all public hospitals. More of our children go to school without their parents worrying whether they can afford the school fees. Examination fees for both standard eight and form four candidates have been abolished. Thousands of orphans and vulnerable children, people living with disabilities and the elderly in our society continue to receive cash transfers through the social safety net programme. In order to empower Kenyans without title deeds, the Government has issued 2.5 million title deeds which, among other things, will facilitate access to capital. Going forward, the Government will be waiving land title search fees with immediate effect. Finally, Hon. Speaker, on devolution, since 2013, about Kshs1 trillion will have been disbursed by end June 2017 to all the counties to enhance service delivery. This is a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to a strong devolved system of Government. Hon. Speaker, while we celebrate these remarkable achievements, we should not be complacent. Having laid a firm foundation for businesses to thrive and expand, our focus is now to invest in accelerating job creation especially for the youth. This is why, we have chosen as the theme for this year’s Budget, “Creating Jobs, Delivering a Better Life for All Kenyans.” This Budget builds on the transformation we have achieved so far and emphasises the need to support the sectors with a high potential for creating jobs for our youth such as manufacturing and agriculture. Among the strategies to be employed will include supporting domestic production and value-chains, boosting exports, encouraging entrepreneurship, continuing with business climate reforms, completing on-going infrastructure programmes, modernising agriculture and agro- processing, protecting the vulnerable and supporting emerging growth sectors. All this will be accomplished within sustainable public finances in order to continue securing macroeconomic stability. In sum, the 2017 Budget is about building on the recent successes and delivering jobs and prosperity to Kenyans. 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."
}