By Alex Ndegwa
The Cabinet has asked the Treasury to allocate the full Sh17.5 billion requested by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissionto ensure a credible, free, and fair elections.
It also approved Sh9 billion, in this year’s budget, for the recruitment of additional teachers, doctors, nurses, and police officers.
Of this, Sh3.4 billion is for the recruitment of an additional 10,000 teachers who will be recruited annually. The recruitment of 900 doctors, nurses and health workers has been allocated Sh 3.1 billion.
Also recommended to be set aside is Sh2.5 billion for the recruitment of 7000 police officers. .
An additional Sh5 billion is recommended for the implementation of the second phase of allowances for doctors, nurses and health workers.
In a meeting chaired by President Kibaki at State House Nairobi on Thursday, ministers also resolved that Sh3.5 billion be allocated for harmonisation of house allowances for civil servants.
The Cabinet also resolved that four million bags be bought to stock the national grain reserve and another four million as a revolving reserve held by the National Cereals and Produce Board.
Ministers recommended the establishment of an accountable Fertiliser and Seeds revolving Fund to ensure that farmers access affordable inputs.
Youth fund
The National Youth Service is to recruit 5,000 youth. The Youth Fund will get an additional Sh1 billion while the women’s fund will receive Sh400 million.
The Cabinet also said salaries of public officers should be capped to allow for adequate development funds. Alluding to a pay cut for highly paid commissioners of constitutional bodies, the Cabinet resolved that the capping of salaries should also apply to the many independent commissions.
