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Kenya’s 2017-18 budget worsening in fiscal deficit – Analysts
By David Indeje / September 12, 2017
July, Fitch Ratings estimated the fiscal deficit to narrow to 6.4 percent of GDP in FY18, as expenditure falls closer to average historical levels and improvements to revenue administration and collection begin to show results.
However, in August Fitch said in terms of the Kenyan economy, “Failure to consolidate budget deficit and stabilise government debt/GDP would be negative for Kenya’s credit profile, while effective implementation of a fiscal consolidation plan and stabilisation of government debt/GDP could lead to a positive rating action.” “Risks to our forecast include slower-than-expected growth and lower revenue collection.”
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Genghis notes that sentiment in the equities market was mostly bullish in the year to election date, with the YTD (on 7th August) performance of NSE All Share Index up 19.1 percent.
“In the penultimate week to the election, the index eased 1.6 percent before advancing in the five sessions post-election by 6.3 percent. The Supreme Court ruling came as a surprise to the markets with KES 129.6Bn in market capitalization diluted in the two consequent sessions. In that same period, foreign investors accelerated their selling with net selling position of KES 688.5Mn (an abnormally high exit),” they note.
Read: Kenya private sector experienced worst deterioration in August
“The biggest hurdle we foresee in the first half of the fiscal year is meeting the borrowing target with the Treasury currently at KES 10.01Bn net borrowing position,” Genghis state.
In the current uncertain environment, the analysts expect the market to continue managing risk by staying short, forcing the Central Bank to continue issuing short term debt.
“We do not believe this is sustainable and believe pressure will pile on CBK to begin accepting more expensive money as: they fall further behind the borrowing target and revenue collection falters due to the ongoing economic growth slowdown, which in turn will push up yields on the short end of the yield curve.”
The Supreme court, in a 4-2 majority decision, determined that: the election held on August 8th was not in accordance with the Constitution rendering the election null and void and President Uhuru Kenyatta was not validly declared as President elect by the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (IEBC).
In addition, the Supreme Court ordered IEBC to organize and conduct fresh presidential elections within sixty days in strict conformity with the Constitution.
IEBC has called for fresh presidential elections to be held
Kenya's 2017-18 budget worsening in fiscal deficit - Analysts