Ministers admit stimulus delay

By David Ochami

Three ministers have admitted delays in the implementation of the Sh22 billion economic stimulus package.

Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Education Minister Sam Ongeri and Fisheries counterpart Paul Otuoma said key projects have failed to take off due to slow procurement procedures, lengthy inter-ministerial consultations and inflated tenders.

The ministers were testifying to the Constituency Development Fund Committee in Nairobi, following widespread criticism of the delayed projects.

Yesterday, the ministers said the stimulus package was essentially bogged down after most bidders gave higher quotations than the money allocated.

In the 2009 Budget, the stimulus package was created to boost economic growth following a pro-longed drought, post-election violence and widespread poverty and unemployment.

The projects are to be implemented by various ministries and were to begin by early July.