Stimulus package gets a new lease of life

By Macharia Kamau

The Government will carry over the implementation of the economic stimulus package that it set rolling last year into the 2010/2011 financial year.

Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said the package, which saw the Government set aside Sh22 billion to put up development projects at the constituency level, is expected to gather pace in the coming financial year, with the first year having served as a learning experience.

"We are focusing around the completion of the stimulus package that we started last year," Uhuru said.

"The challenge when we started out was that there was no framework within which to operate. It was something new, but now we have we have the framework in place and the programmes are rolling out."

He added that the money that remained unused would be carried over to the next fiscal year, which starts July this year.

"We expect to come on stream this year, and we will roll over the money that has not been used in this financial year to the next year," he said. The Minister also placed special emphasis on further development of fish farms, which were to be established across the country, in the 2010/2011 financial year.

In his budget speech, Uhuru set aside Sh120 million for the completion of the all constituency fisheries project that was started last year, with the aim of building 28,000 fishponds across the country.

"Last year, the Government initiated a Sh12 billion fish farming enterprise productivity programme to construct at 28,000 fishponds in the 140 constituencies countrywide. This is expected to stimulate increased aquaculture production, promote enterprise development and strengthen food security," he said.

"I have allocated Sh120 million to construct another 200 fishponds in an additional 20 constituencies to encourage further fish farming and agro forestry. I have also allocated Sh360 million to construct three shallow wells in every constituency. To ensure adequate water for fish, I have allocated Sh300 million for purchasing sheet lining for use by fish farmers."

Fish Seeds

The ministry further allocated a further Sh340 million for purchase of fish seeds and Sh1.2 billion to buy feeds for fish, which Uhuru said would be enough for 300 fishponds.

"We realise that these investments may not achieve their full economic potential unless we deal with supply chain constraints. We are going a step further to establish a further 80 fish mini-processing and cold storage facilities in key centres at a cost of Sh400 million," he said.

He also set aside funds for the improvement of health facilities and agricultural extension services.

Last year, the minister set aside Sh22 billion to all the constituencies that was meant to initiate, rehabilitate as well as expand such projects as fish farms, building roads, markets and jua kali sheds at the constituency level.