Civil servants to get pay rise as Cabinet approves funds

Cabinet on Wednesday, February 9 approved Ksh 100 billion for public servants pay increase from July 2017.

In a statement after a Cabinet Meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, the Cabinet further approved the recruitment of 10,000 police officers of 5,000 teachers.

With the revenue collection being projected at Ksh 1.704 trillion up from Ksh 1.5 trillion, for collection in the current year, the Cabinet also approved the allocation for the harmonization of Public Sector salaries and allowances; Civil Service Pension; house and hardship allowances.

The meeting, whose main agenda was to consider and approve the Financial Year 2017/2018 budget estimates for submission to Parliament, Cabinet further noted an increment in the budget from Ksh 2.48 trillion in 2016/17 budget to Ksh 2.62 trillion.

The FY 2017/18 Budget and Financing proposals that were presented by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Henry Rotich, also reported donor commitments as firmed up and disbursements are expected to hit Ksh 256.1 billion in both grants and loans.

Rotich also indicated that the 2017/18 budget will continue to focus on the 2nd Medium Term Plan of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Government priorities under a five-pillar transformation agenda.

The National Treasury is pushing to have the 2017/2018 budget estimates approved by Parliament by March.

Rotich, who spoke Citizen Digital early January, said this would enable the government fast track the process as the country heads into a competitive election period.

“The target is to have the budget estimates approved by March. Budget Statement reading can happen anytime after that even in June on a date to be agreed by all EAC partner states,” Mr Rotich said.

This marks a shift from the traditional budget making process that saw the National Assembly approve government expenditure in April.

It was widely believed the budget would be read before the traditional date of the second Thursday of June.