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Uhuru's agenda to Parliament
By Standard Digital Reporter
Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday opened the Eleventh Parliament and outlined the legislative agenda of his government.
In his speech to the joint session of the Senate and Parliament, the President said he will form a lean cabinet and streamline agencies to eliminate overlap of duties.
His statement came hot on the heels of spirited campaigns by a section of MPs to have their pay upped. To this end Uhuru decried Kenya's huge wage bill which stands at Sh458 billion equal to half revenue government collects annually and said it must be reduced.
President Uhuru warned: "In the current financial year for example the total estimated wage bill is Kshs 458 billion. This wage billat slightly over 12% of our GDP, is well above the internationally accepted standard of 7% and accounts for almost half of the revenue collected by Government. This is unsustainable and poses a serious threat to the funding of important development projects, and has the potential to severely affect the country¡¦s economic prospects."
It remains to be seen how MPs will react to his proposals over the four days when they begin debate on his speech. A section of MPs have since vowed to stall government legislative agenda if their pay is not hiked.
He argued: "All arms of Government must set the example and lead the way in bringing this wage bill down. Our focus both as the executive and the legislature must be on reducing the cost of living and making Kenya much more competitive thereby increasing opportunities while improving the standard of living. Indeed, that shall be the centrepiece of our Government."
He said he will act swiftly to end corruption that is entrenched in many institutions.
He outlined a nine-pillar national agenda based on among others transparency in public service, job creation, education, security, improved infrastructure and devolved government.
He said his government's legislative agenda will include presenting to the House bills and legislations, top on the list being implementation of the Constitution.
He said security was paramount adding in the agenda was to increase the number of police officers, equip various units as well as improve their welfare.
On Education, President Uhuru said pupils joining class one next year will get laptops and higher learning institution in Counties will be increased to avoid middle level colleges from being converted into universities.
Job creation was also on the Head of State agenda and he said the women and youth enterprise fund will be harmonized to ensure they are accessible at constituency level.
He said there was need to spark industrial revolution and ensure value addition to products.
"There is need to open one million acres of land to irrigation," he said on fighting food insecurity.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Uhuru's agenda to Parliament
By Standard Digital Reporter
Nairobi, Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday opened the Eleventh Parliament and outlined the legislative agenda of his government.
In his speech to the joint session of the Senate and Parliament, the President said he will form a lean cabinet and streamline agencies to eliminate overlap of duties.
His statement came hot on the heels of spirited campaigns by a section of MPs to have their pay upped. To this end Uhuru decried Kenya's huge wage bill which stands at Sh458 billion equal to half revenue government collects annually and said it must be reduced.
President Uhuru warned: "In the current financial year for example the total estimated wage bill is Kshs 458 billion. This wage billat slightly over 12% of our GDP, is well above the internationally accepted standard of 7% and accounts for almost half of the revenue collected by Government. This is unsustainable and poses a serious threat to the funding of important development projects, and has the potential to severely affect the country¡¦s economic prospects."
It remains to be seen how MPs will react to his proposals over the four days when they begin debate on his speech. A section of MPs have since vowed to stall government legislative agenda if their pay is not hiked.
He argued: "All arms of Government must set the example and lead the way in bringing this wage bill down. Our focus both as the executive and the legislature must be on reducing the cost of living and making Kenya much more competitive thereby increasing opportunities while improving the standard of living. Indeed, that shall be the centrepiece of our Government."
He said he will act swiftly to end corruption that is entrenched in many institutions.
He outlined a nine-pillar national agenda based on among others transparency in public service, job creation, education, security, improved infrastructure and devolved government.
He said his government's legislative agenda will include presenting to the House bills and legislations, top on the list being implementation of the Constitution.
He said security was paramount adding in the agenda was to increase the number of police officers, equip various units as well as improve their welfare.
On Education, President Uhuru said pupils joining class one next year will get laptops and higher learning institution in Counties will be increased to avoid middle level colleges from being converted into universities.
Job creation was also on the Head of State agenda and he said the women and youth enterprise fund will be harmonized to ensure they are accessible at constituency level.
He said there was need to spark industrial revolution and ensure value addition to products.
"There is need to open one million acres of land to irrigation," he said on fighting food insecurity.
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Uhuru's agenda to Parliament
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