Kenya's Budget

Bantugbro said:
Not very convincing but a clever move though..(i don't ask for help but they will see through my face that i really need help) some kind of approach!...
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Not really, that would be an insult if they would give us peanuts as donation.
 
RealDeal na wenzio, hebu read this piece:​

Budget has noble intention, but will the numbers add up?​


By Kimani Njoroge and Isabel Ngugi

In presenting his 2010-2011 budget, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta articulated the Government’s priorities as enhancing access, equity and quality of education, increasing access to medical, health and sanitation facilities, and enhancing the links between research undertaken and training requirements to ensuring higher levels of engagement in economically meaningful work.

The Deputy PM also emphasised the importance of creating employment, particularly among the youth. Reading the budget, Uhuru said this would be made possible by increasing the entrepreneurial capacity of the populace and increasing the enrolment of students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

From the budget speech, it is evident the Government is committed to increasing the employment levels by creating opportunities for the youth to access education right from primary to tertiary level.

This is in the hope that an educated workforce will increase levels of productivity and competitiveness of the country.

Increasing access

The Minister spoke of increasing access, equity, quality and relevance of education at all levels by the newly introduced and enhanced measures. A crucial mention is the need to ensure demand-driven training, provided at the different levels of the education system, which enables absorption of graduates to the employment sector and engagement in economically viable activities.

Working in a firm that focuses on recruiting talent, it is evident that the time is ripe for our institutions of learning to respond to the needs of organisations. A primary challenge has been the depth of skills individuals graduate with, but probably more important is their breadth. It is hoped that with the increased funding to tertiary institutions, and provision of tutors, some focus will be given to increasing soft skills, such as presentation, negotiation, conflict management, etc.

It is expected that as a result of the Government’s measures, there will be a sustained increase in the enrolment rate of students, not just at primary level, but also secondary and tertiary levels.

Enrolment rate

The gross enrolment rate at secondary level did not change significantly between 2007 and 2008 (59.6 per cent in 2007 to 59.9 per cent in 2008) so it is hoped that with the increased investment in this sector, the enrolment rates in this financial year will increase. The future impact of an educated and skilled populace will be increased levels of employment and reduction in poverty levels.

As a country, we have continued to witness an increase in enrolment in schools due to the Government’s funding of the institutions. However, a significant challenge from this has been in ensuring the number of teachers available has kept pace with the increase in students.

This has mainly been felt in primary schools. The budget did not address this area, but it is hoped that with the commitments made in 2009/10, this challenge will be better managed. The increased funding to secondary schools is also most welcome to ensure a transition path from students who have benefited from free primary education.

The other key area of impact is the increased funding provided to tertiary institutions, to strengthen the quality of learning provided. With Sh1 billion allocated to expanding the 26 technical training institutions, recruitment of 2,000 tutors on contract terms in village polytechnics and Sh640 million to increase training in polytechnics and universities, it is hoped that not only will there be an increase in admission levels, but also some spend made in ensuring quality of education is not lost.

The Minister has done well in this area, demonstrating the government’s commitment in ensuring the country has an educated and skilled workforce.

Health

The minister also tried to increase the investment in the health sector through the provision of an additional 35 nurses per constituency, five public health workers and 10 community health workers. Other significant improvements are infrastructural, including provision of 10 motorcycles, 30 bicycles, upgrading health facilities and 300 ambulances nationwide.

Though recognition must be given to this effort, it is probably not sufficient in ensuring equitable provision of health care nationally. The primary challenge that the Ministries of Health have continually faced is achieving optimal distribution of health workers throughout the country.

This is particularly so in the hard-to-reach areas. The Ministries of Health should have received a larger vote to recruitment of more health workers and enable provision of human resources to deliver health services across the country.

In sum, the intention is good, but the numbers will not deliver the desired health outcomes for the country. No matter how much is invested in infrastructure, there must be a significantly stronger effort made in provision of skilled health workers has noble intention, but will the numbers add up?

The Standard | Online Edition :: Budget has noble intention, but will the numbers add up?
 
RealDeal said:
I have read it! What's your query Ab-tichaz?
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Ever heard of fuzzy math?

...Uhuru is focussed on this education thing but at the end of the day where are the
jobs going to come from once the kids get out of school? This has been a common
feature of the Kenyan Education system.

Kisha is the education system really going to produce a skilled labour force like we are
meant to believe?
 


I beg to differ with mkuu AB. for one an informed population/educated population is more likely to produce entrepreneurs who then themselves become employers.

An informed/educated population is more likely to be self reliant, come up with innovative ways of solving problems that affect them.

An educated population is more likely to attract investors.

And the most important of all, an educated population is more likely to support policies and or officials/politicians whose policies are progressive thus creating a conducive environment for investment and/or growth.
 

Mkuu Namtih58,

Heshima natanguliza kisha nakushkuru kwa kuanzisha hii thread hapa.

While I might want to agree with you, in the Kenyan example hio ni ndoto kwa kina kirefu.
An educated population does not necessarily invite investors ,but sound economic policies
that are directed by well oiled democratic institutions do. Mfano Nigeria has the most educated
population in the continent of Africa lakini angalia siasa zao zilivyofanya nchi ibaki nyuma
kwa m'da mrefu sana.

The Kenyan system of education is known to produce educated individuals into the streets year in
year out, lakini hali za kazi zina utata. That has been going on for ages and I was expecting to hear
the Hon Minister give us sound economic policies geared towards job creation and how to handle
waste of taxpayers money. Job creation and the fight against sleaze/corruption should be given
priority na sio kutuambia hadisi ambazo tumekua tunazisikia tangia alfu lela ulela.

Think like this: Hio educated population unayosema weye mkuu, inakuja Bongo by way of EAC to take
over jobs....nd'o maana wanatilia shinikizo huu Muungano.

Nawasilisha.

P.S. I agree with you 100% on the importance of an educatred population...ni muhimu sana kua nayo.
 

When you are learned, you need not depend on the government to employ you. It's a fact that Kenya suffers from brain-drain. But if you put any other priority above education, you don't expect to prosper. For instance, now that you are implying that the money should be used to create jobs, who will provide skilled labor with no education.
Uhuru did the right thing because any learned person can apply his/her skills and come with something innovative and not necessarily depend on what the govt has to offer.
 

AB, you got this one wrong. a country can never go wrong with an educated population. information & knowledge are the basics of any civilised society.

dont forget, the budget was also highly focused on creating a business condusive environment. also dont forget the two bills(i forgot their names) tabled in parliament that are supposed to enhance the business climate in the country. ALSO! there is the stimulus plan that was unveiled last year which is still being implemented(slowly? yes, but! still being implemented)

so before you fault the budget and the government i urge you to look at the big picture first and not just the budget.
 


ahsante mkuu AB. Heshima kwako.

Naiona point yako, lakini I believe when all things are considerd, A population with a well educated majority is a more attractive investment lot.

Now of course we have to also consider other things like how healthy the population is, sitarajii kumuajiri yeyote ambaye kwa siku 4 kati ya 5 hayupo kazini. But then again healthy living goes hand in hand with the lifestyle decisions we make, which inturn are influenced by how educated one is.
Also other major considerations will be Security and communication infrastructure.

So I confess that focusing on eduaction alone ni kama kuunda madirisha na kutarajai nyumba. The foundations for a good stable environment must all be considerd.

1. Health
2. Communication [roads tele.. nk]
3. Security
4. Education
5. Energy

once we have all this in place the rest will follow.
I believe this is the part that most governments hapa afrika wanakosa. Tunakimbilia kuwaalika wawekezaji badala ya ku-create the environment for investment.

Sidhani hata kama afrika, pakitokea tukaletewa viwanda vyote duniani vikabwagwa humu, tukaambiwa ni vyetu tuta tajirika. Tatizo ni kuwa hatuna what is necessary ku sustain growth ya hivo viwanda.

Mabarabara ya kusafirisha bidhaa hamna. Sekta ya nishati ndio hiyo manijua, mawaziri nadhani wanategemea viwanda viatendeshwa kwa mishumaa

Magonjwa kibao, kutoka malaria hadi hata mengine kuyatamka ni ngumu.

Hebu jiulize hawa mawaziri wetu wa afya, priorities zao ziko wapi, tuna invest ma milioni ya fedha kupambana na magonjwa kama ukimwi ambayo hayana tiba, wakati ukweli ni kuwa kuna magonjwa mengine kama malaria, ambayo yanauwa wengi kuliko ukimwi na ni rahisi sana ku control. magonjwa kama typhoid na cholera, mbona hawa focus on such?

Wanasahau kuwa kwa mzungu its all about the catchy words, yeye akitokea CNN kuzungumzia saratani na ukimwi, napata coverage kweli, lakini huku kwetu kinacho tumaliza kwa kasi/wingi si kinacho wamaliza wazungu! but i digress.

Anyway naamini serikali afrika zikifocus on the major five hayo mengine yatajipanga yenyewe.
 
well the governement is working and made alot of progress on education, agriculture, communication and Energy but shamefully not doing enough or barely anything on security and health.

i think on the cunstruction of infrastructure The government deserves praise for what it is doing and planning on doing. from roads, to fibre optic(the only country in subsaharan africa minus south africa to construct its own sub marine cable the TEAMs), to the numerous revived irrigation projects, to the pay rise for the teachers and building of new schools, to the rural electrification programme(which is working wonders atleast for my hometown). combine all that with mega project that will be the lamu port and you can saftely say that that the government is doing something to make the nation progress guided by the 2030 vision. i think the next step the government should do is focus on the social welfare of its citizens which kenya scores so low its not even funny
 

RealDeal,

lemmie start with you kwanza.

Read my final line on the post I was answering Namtih58. I agree 100% on the need for an educated
population but at the same time what is the point of having these folks around when they can get jobs?
When you say that when you give priority to other issues above education that yuo dont propser, I beg to
differ a little bit (just a little bit). There are other issues like a sound and inclusive and fair political playing
field...which to me takes priority above all else because it is this that determines who gets what in matters
of budget allocations and the like.

When you say...'When you are learned, you need not depend on the government to employ you'
I dont think you are being fair or true to yourself and others. When it comes to the issue about the
government supplying jobs I think you need to be realistic as to Kenya being an LDC and most of the people
rely on their Gov t to supply them with jobs, just like most high school leavers look at the Govt run Colleges
to get their higher education. After graduation teachers look to the TSC to get employment, Doctors in turn
are mandated to work in Govt hospitals before they can venture into private medical practice. kwa hivyo its
the govt that provides these employment oportunities to most people and they should not abdicate from this
responsibility just because they gave their population some semblance of good education.

I'm not trashing Uhuru's noble idea but its the implementation that Im worried about. The thing looks
good on paper but as the article opined, do the numbers add up?..Thats what Im asking.

Regards.
 

Nomasana,

acha ningurume na wewe sasa.

I dont think I got this one wrong unless you misread me. I am not dissing an educated population but
Im talking about a 'disillusioned educated population'.I gave an example of Nigeria and all the brains they
have but there is nothing tangible to show for it apart from civil wars, corruption and massive brain
drain.A sound democratic instituion is the basis of all this things you have put across.

You advise me to look at the bigger picture and thats exactly what I'm doing. The bigger picture includes
a political climate that will attract these investors. You can have the finest piece of budgetary presentation
which I know Kenya has been doing year in and year out, but if the politics turn into 'politricks' then what
is the purpose? If you read F.Imbuga's book 'Betrayal in the City', one of its main themes was disillusionment.
If and when you have a disillusioned populace which is educated, then nothing but frustration and madness results.
That is the case with Nigeria. In this regard I started THIS THREAD to reflect on Kenya and its glossy budget
and waxing lyrical populace.

Tuko pamoja.
 

people will get jobs if investors come in, investors wont come in if the necessary policies, transportation and communication infrastructure is not in place. so the government is constructing the necessary infrastructure and laying down the right policies so that investors can come in so that kenyans can get jobs!!!! its a chain reaction buddy.

so why is thailand's economy thriving despite the long running internal instability??? why is phillipine thriving despite the internal wranglings and terrorism??? these countries have the necessary policies and the infrastructure to facilitate growth, so even when the investor understand the political dangers he will overlook them because the business climate is good and there is money to be made. this is why although kenya has serious political issues it still continues to be the bigger economy than tanzania which is stable. reason is becasue tanzania does not have the necessary policies or infrastructure to facilitate business like kenya has.
 

Nomasana,

sasa you are dancing around what you initially said and coming to my side...:biggrin1:.
You had categorically stated that you cant go wrong with an educated population to
which I agreed but my argument was that we cannot simply say if we have an educated
populace then things will work themselves out. That was my bone of contention.

Now you are agreeing with me as to the necessity of sound policies na hamna noma hapo
Bw Nomasana.

In Thailand's case its too early to tell but if it digresses to the likes of the Kmher Rouge then come
back and lets debate it from there. The military dictatorship is beating people to compliance and
even worse off killing them and amidst all this we know of investors who can withstand all that
turmoil knowing what they have pegged there 'waitng time on'. Even in the DRC and Liberia when
all those wars were going on those kinda investors were there.

Meanwhile, I appreciate your discourse.

Regards.
 

By the time I was answering your previous post, I had not read this one.
Well said.
 
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