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Kenyans have lamented over the high cost of living ahead of the budget statement reading on Thursday afternoon.
This will be President William Ruto’s first budget.
The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u will deliver the Kenya Kwanza Budget Statement for the Financial Year 2023-2024 at 3 pm.
President William Ruto’s administration has proposed a Sh3.6 trillion for the Financial Year 2023/2024 with a Sh700 billion deficit to be financed through borrowing.
The budget will mark an increase of Sh251 billion from the FY 2022/23 budget which stood at Sh3.39 trillion.
The government plans to spend Sh2.5 trillion on recurrent expenses and Sh769.3 billion on development.
This is what Kenyans on the streets had to say;
“I don’t think this was the right time to increase taxes,” Wambugu Nyamu said.
“The government says the housing levy will create jobs for the youth… what about graduates who have not pursued building and construction courses?” Benedict Wambua posed.
“As long as the Finance Bill 2023 doesn’t address productivity at the farm level, then what farmers take home, which is already too little will be close to nothing… with this kind of budget, I don’t know what they are smoking at Treasury,” Richard Ochieng’ said.
“Maisha imekuwa ngumu hata kusomesha watoto imekuwa shida. Yaani rais Ruto anapandishia wazee wakongwe bei ya mafuta taa, hio ametumaliza. Hii miaka tano sijui tutaishi aje,” Jane Omusitsi said.
This translates to: Life has become unbearable. Even educating children has become a problem. President Ruto’s administration has seen an increase in prices of commodities including kerosene. These five years, I don’t know how we will survive.
“Tunateseka sana, ukienda kwa duka uone bei ya bidhaa unachanganyikiwa. Sahi elfu moja ni kama mia moja. Tunaomba gharama ya maisha ishushwe na vijana wapewe kazi,” Doris Wambui said.
This translates to: We are suffering. Prices of commodities in various shops have increased. One thousand shillings is like one hundred. We are pleading for the cost of living to go down and for youths to be given jobs. BY THE STAR