[South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya in a past event. He has slammed the 2017/18 budget as a campaign tool by Jubilee government. Photo/nation.co.ke]
South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya has dismissed the budget as untenable, claiming the Jubilee promises on infrastructure would not be fulfilled.
Addressing the Nation at a press briefing, he termed the budget document a Jubilee Party campaign tool calculated to excite the masses into voting for the current regime at the August polls.
“A casual glance at the budget will show that the budget was not balanced since the source of funding is not tenable. It is a mere campaign toll intended to excite the masses into thinking Jubilee cares about the ordinary citizens as we go into the August elections,” said Mr Nyamweya.
He accused Jubilee of engaging in fictional figures, saying it would not be possible to raise the revenues projected revenue from Kenyans facing various economic, social and security challenges.
“As per the budget estimates, the projected Sh 1.8 trillion is not possible since the country is undergoing drought, with most taxpayers operating under a depressed economic environment. It will be impossible to raise the revenue under those circumstances,” he said.
He cast doubt on the roads and infrastructure pledged by Jubilee in the budget, saying the 10,000 kilometres of roads were a bare faced lie.
“Jubilee is incapable of financing the infrastructure budget since the 139 b currently set aside for raids is insufficient to complete existing projects in addition to the many projects recently launched by Uhuruto,” saiud Mr Nyamweya.
The lawmaker said there was no new significant economic activity to warrant the government’s expectation of boosted revenue levels in the coming financial year.
“Nothing significant is happening to enable us get that money. We are yet to begin exporting oil, agricultural export prices are down and our tourism industry is still in the grip of a recession, with most other revenue sources reflecting a general downward trend,” the trained economist and governorship aspirant said.
Mr Nyamweya reminded the government that repayment of foreign loans was first on its agenda, staying that they would cost it Sh 639 billion this year alone.
“We know that loan repayment is the first charge for Treasury. Repayment of expensive foreign loans alone will cost us Sh 639 b with pensioners taking another Sh 77 billion, totalling to 700 billion that we must pay,” said the MP.
The legislator said the infrastructure budget was based on a loan borrowing scheme, saying the cost of the projects would far outstrip the benefits if the State persisted on taking loans to finance them.
“It is time the public learn the truth about these expensive infrastructure mega projects. We have to borrow and the projects are not guaranteed to return the economic benefits because of the steep repayment terms,” said Mr Nyamweya.