Navigating huge recurrent bill a headache for Rotich in 2018 Budget

The reading of the 2017/18 Budget by the Cabinet Secretary this year has come early. Unlike in previous years when it was read in June and in harmony with the rest of the East Africa countries, the budget calendar had to be revised due to the upcoming general elections in August. Consequently the budget will be read in March. The Cabinet Secretary and his team most probably have burnt the midnight oil to meet the deadlines in the revised budget calendar. The theme for this year’s budget is “consolidating economic gains in an environment of subdued global demand’’. With this budget, it is envisaged that the Government will be looking to strengthen or enhance the gains that they have made so far in facilitating economic growth. The current government’s focus areas over the last four years have been; to create a conducive business environment, to transform the agricultural sector and ensure food security, to develop infrastructure, to provide quality and accessible social services and to entrench devolution.