Eyes on Budget as State seeks to fend off virus glitches

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani (pictured) will present his first Budget to Parliament on Thursday next week amid the economic turmoil occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi told MPs that Mr Yatani has asked the House to be accommodated next week to deliver the budget.

Yatani, who assumed the docket in July last year, will be on the spot on June 11 with the government facing challenges on how to raise revenue to finance its projects while shrouded in the coronavirus veil.

Mr Muturi revealed measures that will be observed on Thursday to ensure social distancing rules are observed.

He said only members of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, chairpersons of departmental committees and those chairing select committees will be accommodated in the chambers.

Other members have been asked to follow proceedings from designated areas.

“You are encouraged to be present during this important event,” said Muturi.

Eyes will be on how the government will seek to navigate through the adverse effects of the coronavirus that have greatly impacted the economy.

Majority Leader Aden Duale yesterday said the issue of the Budget was among those discussed during the Jubilee Party’s National Assembly Parliamentary Group meeting on Tuesday.

He said President Uhuru Kenyatta rallied MPs to support the government’s measures in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee will today be tabling the estimates for MPs to go through before the Treasury Cabinet Secretary makes his pronouncements on Thursday,” Mr Duale said.