APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA ii) Actively support and create an effective enabling environment for growing small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), especially in rural areas through appropriate policy measures, (especially supporting the creation of economic opportunities upon which these sectors can leverage and increase demand profitably). (Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry). iii) Address unemployment by deliberately promoting development of labour absorbing sectors by not only expanding the use of labour intensive methods in both public and the private sectors, but also explicitly targeting those sectors as a matter of deliberate policy (Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Vision 2030 Secretariat) iv) Promote the SMEs sector as the job creator through deliberately addressing measures that promote its productivity so as to increase earnings from such activities. While the Vision 2030 and the MTP framework targets creation of decent jobs, Kenya’s economic transformation that is required to delivered this is not occurring fast enough to absorb a rapidly growing population and work force. As a result, the majority of new entrants to the labour force will continue to find work in the informal sector that will remain a key sector of the economy for a long time (Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Vision 2030 Secretariat) 4.4 OBJECTIVE 2: FACILITATE THE PARTICIPATION OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS IN POLICY AND PROGRAMME DISCUSSIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION 4.4.1 Summary of the Country Self-Assessment (CSAR) The CSAR elaborates on a number initiative the government has taken to promote public participation of key stakeholders in policy and programme discussions and implementation. Key Institutions and Stakeholders involved in Formulating and Implementing Economic Policies 312. The CSAR points out that the Government has taken laudable steps to enhance access to and improve participation of Kenyans in a wide range of Government policies and programmes. This has involved providing information on the levels of national debt, the government’s financial position, government financial obligations and government revenue and expenditure. A case in point is the formulation and implementation of the budget process. Currently, this is done within the confines of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budgeting framework, which requires ministries to prepare their budget proposals based on priorities identified by Sector Working Groups comprising various stakeholders of the sector. 313. Furthermore, Kenya’s line ministries are synthesized into the Public Expenditure Review, which is now recognized as an important input in achieving better value for the Kenyan public’s taxes. In these public expenditure reviews analysis, sector working groups and line ministries are engaged extensively in reviewing the proposals and deciding the trade-offs and bid for budget allocations. | 150 |