This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
Kenya's 2020 budget, designed to respond to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been unveiled with a focus on cushioning vulnerable groups. The budget allocates significant funds to various departments, including State House Affairs and government advisory services.
According to the budget papers, the State Department of Infrastructure has been allocated Sh124.6 billion for road development projects and Sh64 billion for recurrent expenditure. The State Department of Transport has received Sh38 billion in development expenditure, including Sh23 billion for rail and Sh14 billion for marine transport.
The State Department for Social Protection, Pensions and Senior Citizens has received an additional Sh8.5 billion to cushion the most vulnerable from the economic brunt of the pandemic. The number of households with older persons receiving the government's monthly stipend will be increased from 833,000 to 1 million, while at least 390,500 households with vulnerable children will receive cash transfers.
On the other hand, Cabinet has seen its budget slashed by Sh530 million, while the Deputy President's budget has been cut by Sh63 million. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has seen its budget increase by an additional Sh2.8 billion, with Treasury seeking to continue paying teachers' salaries during the pandemic and recruit an additional 5,000 teachers in the current financial year.
Treasury has also increased the allocation to the country's prisons by Sh6.9 billion, with the money expected to purchase telecommunication equipment at 31 penal institutions across the country. Additionally, 3,200 wardens are set to be recruited.
The agricultural sector will also benefit from an additional Sh12.7 billion in budget resources, which will go towards fighting the locust infestation and boosting the strategic grain reserve.
