Uhuru Big Four big loser as health care get lion’s share
Noah Cheploen @cheploennoah
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda has become a casualty of the declining revenue collection partly attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Big Four is part of Uhuru’s legacy projects and include universal health coverage, manufacturing, food security and affordable housing.
While the government allocated Sh450 billion to the Big Four agenda in the 2019/20 Budget, the allocation dropped to Sh128 billion in the Budget statement read by Treasury CS Ukur Yatani yesterday.
“I have set aside Sh128.3 billion for the Big Four agenda drivers and enablers,” Yatani told Parliament.
Health care is the biggest winner with Sh111.7 billion.
“Out of this, Sh50.3 billion is for activities and programmes for the attainment of universal health coverage,” said Yatani.
The CS said Sh19 billion will go towards the fight against HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis, Sh6 billion for the managed equipment services and Sh5.3 billion to transform the health care systems.
Kemri
The Kenyatta National Hospital was allocated Sh15 billion, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Sh10 billion and the Kenya Medical Training Centres Sh7.2 billion.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), which is in the forefront in the fight against coronavirus, was allocated Sh2.5 billion while Mathari Hospital got Sh1.2 billion.
Yatani allocated of Sh15.5 billion to the housing, urban development and public works sector. Out of this, Sh6.9 billion will cater for the Affordable Housing Programme.
“We are also concluding discussions to bring on board an additional Sh3.6 billion from the African Development Bank, Sh7.5 billion for the Kenya Urban Programme and Sh1billion for the ongoing construction of Gikomba, Githurai, Chaka, Kamukunji and Dagoretti markets,” he said.
Yatani set aside Sh18.3 billion for the manufacturing sector.
“Of this, Sh1.4 billion will go to the Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project and Sh3.6 billion for the development of Special Economic Zone Textile Park in Naivasha,” he said.
Kenanie Leather Industrial Park and Athi River Textile Hub are also set to benefit from this allocation.
“I have also set aside Sh843 million to support modernisation of Rift Valley Textile Industry and Sh800 million for the development of various Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya,” he said.
Food security
Others are Kenya Youth Empowerment and Opportunities Project (Sh715 million), Sh500 million towards supporting dairy processing and Sh3 billion for Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.
He reiterated government’s commitment to food security through various initiatives.
“I have set aside Sh52.8 billion for Food and Nutrition Security. Out of this, Sh10.6 billion has been proposed for the Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Project,” he said.
Some Sh5.5 billion has been allocated for the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusivity Project and Sh4 billion for the Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme.
The Food Security and Crop Diversification Project was allocated Sh730 million.
The government has also set aside some Sh10 billion for irrigation land reclamation.
“Other proposed allocations include Sh1.8 billion to enhance aquaculture business development project and Sh1.4 billion to support small-scale irrigation and value addition,” he said.
Some Sh1.3 billion has been set aside to enhance resilience of pastoral communities and protect them from losses as a result of adverse weather conditions.
Towards improving infrastructure, Yatani allocated of Sh172.4 billion.
He also set aside Sh18 billion for SGR Phase II from Nairobi- Naivasha, Sh6 billion for the LAPSSET Project and Sh5 billion for the Mombasa Port Development Project and some.
