Why this year’s Budget wi*l be presented early
When Parliament resumed from the Christmas break on January 25, the House noted that the reopening was two weeks earlier than the date provided by Standing Order 27 which requires that regular Sessions commence on the second Tuesday of February.
The Clerk of the National Assembly said the early commencement of the sixth and final session for the 12th Parliament was occasioned by the fact that being an election year, the legislators needed to conclude various House matters in order to avoid interruptions occasioned by party primaries and campaigns.
The Clerk also noted that the key priority business on resumption would include Budget-related legislative business including the consideration of the Budget Policy Statement.
In line with the above, the National Treasury CS has indicated that he will present the Budget Statement for the 2022/23 financial year to Parliament on April 7, which is two months earlier than what has been the tradition.
In a press statement issued at the beginning of March, the National Treasury also called on the public to share contributions on policy and tax measures for Treasury’s consideration in its preparation of the Budget. The deadline for the submissions was March 22.
The election is scheduled for August 9. It will therefore be paramount to have the planned expenditures and revenues of the government go through the Parliamentary process and presidential consent before the House breaks for the elections.
This year’s Budget will be the last one under President Uhuru Kenyatta. The expected Budget of Sh3.3 trillion will be read early to allow time for members of Parliament to deliberate on the main component of the Budget which include proposed revenue sources and expenditure plans for the financial year commencing July 2022.
It is also necessary for this year’s Budget to be tabled early in order to allow for time for the preparation of the Appropriation Bill which provides the mandate to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund.
This will be important to run the day-to-day activities of the government including judicial processes that are key in any election process. This will also enable the utilisation of funds towards the running of the August elections.
