Economy

Page 31 Kenya’s economic outlook for the years ahead looks robust, despite recent challenges such as a trade deficit and rising debt. Following 2014’s GDP rebasing, the country is now East Africa’s largest economy and boasts a prominent profile in the EAC. According to official forecasts, growth is expected to be around 6.5-7% in 2015 and to...

The government has stepped up spending in a bid to push growth back up to 6.5-7% from the 2014 level of 5.3%. In his June 2015 budget statement for the 2015/16 fiscal year, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury Henry Rotich said the government also aims to maintain macroeconomic stability and counter challenges such as security, drought,...

The government has made strengthening security and improving confidence a priority and it is not difficult to see why. Security concerns – a result of recent terrorist incidents, including the April 2015 Garissa University attack and the 2013 Westgate Mall attack – have had a noticeable impact on certain sectors of the economy. The most...

Like much else in Kenya, the fiscal policy as outlined in the 2015/16 budget statement is focused on “fast-forward” development. Spending on infrastructure and support for businesses are aimed at driving growth, which the government has forecast at 6% in 2015 and the coming years. When Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury Henry Rotich...