The jubilee government led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto is planning on spending over 2.5 billion shillings for Kenya’s 50 year anniversary. Yes, 2.5 billion shillings.
According the a report by the Nation Newspapers other “important” spends to celebrate Kenya’s jubilee include:
- 50 million Statue for former president Kibaki
- 690 million shillings for events management and logistics
- 365 million shillings for entertainment expenses
- 338 million on security
- 320 million to identify Kenya’s most prominent people
- 20 million on billboards
- 11.5 million to make up Kasarani sports complex
Mr Iringo declared that the government was determined to ensure that the event eclipsed President Kenyatta’s inauguration ceremony on April 9 this year.
“This event will perhaps even be bigger than the President’s inauguration ceremony and that is why we want to involve as many people as possible and ensure it is a success,” Mr Iringo said.
“The government, in appreciation of the significance and magnitude of the 50th anniversary of independence celebrations, constituted the Ministerial 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebrations Preparatory Committee in May 2012,” the PS said.
Jubilee Government Spending Priorities
This comes at a time when the Kenya National Union of Teachers was on strike demanding higher pay for the teachers. President Uhuru is quoted as saying that
laptop was a key promise by Jubilee coalition and no money would be diverted to pay teachers salaries.
This money for laptop we are borrowing, you cant suggest to us to use the money to pay salaries for teachers, we dont want to overbudden our children to in future pay dearly for money that was used to pay somebody, said Uhuru.
This coming also at a time when the Kenya Police Service is said to be on a go slow in the hope of improving their working conditions.
What mistake did this innocent law enforcers commit inorder to have their remuneration previleges provided by the concerned government held at ransom over a mere acusation that they are corrupt? Who received bribes? Basi hata hiyo mshahara serikali ichukue lakini watupe heshima zetu (Then let the government take the salary but give us back our respect),” one officer wrote on facebook.
It also comes amid reports of William Ruto spending 100 million shillings on redoing the Vice President’s residence and a further 100 million on a private jet. A claim that he spent weeks trying to refute.
Reactions to this story have been swift
According to the Nation report, Wilson Sossion is against the proposal
Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) chairman Wilson Sossion criticised the huge expenditure coming at a time when the government says it has no money to improve salaries in the public sector.
“It is immoral to say the least. Sh2.5 billion is enough to educate all the needy children in the country.
Stop wondering & start tendering! "@MediaMK: I wonder what @Ukenyatta 's budget for ndaos and pasua's at StateHouse is. He hosts 'groups.."
— Dee Dee (@DeeKerubo) July 28, 2013
Make me understand @UKenyatta. Japan gave us 1.6b grant to expand Ngong rd to a dual carriageway and we here spending 2.6b for a mega party?
— Joe (@AmJoe_) July 28, 2013
A friends grandma got rotten because a state district hospital mortuary is not working yet we have 50m for a Kibaki statue? @UKenyatta
— Zed (@zollz) July 28, 2013
What is this? Sh. 2.5 Billion for a bash? Via @dailynation Honestly @UKenyatta Mr. President this is recklessness
— steve 'Reel (@SteevOr) July 28, 2013
Yes, a Sh 50m statue is just what a poor country needs. Will inspire us all towards Vision 2030. Astonishing.
— Sunny Bindra (@sunnysunwords) July 28, 2013
I am a jubilant but on this one i totally disagree….I am actually disgusted.Someone slap the President,his deputy and that Iringo idiot on my behalf….NKt!
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mr. Felix Koskei has accused the opposition of economic sabotage and inciting Kenyans against the Jubilee government.
Koskei however warned that the government will deal ruthlessly with troubleshooters arguing that the country needs peace after the polls last March.
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