Before the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, it was a tradition for the President to be present in the National Assembly for the reading of the Budget Statement. Two of Kenya’s Presidents were Finance Ministers before they ascended to the top office.
President Uhuru Kenyatta was Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012 while his predecessor, President Mwai Kibaki, served from 1969 to 1982.Under the old Constitution, the President was a Member of Parliament and since the budget day was the biggest event in Parliament’s calendar, former Presidents attended as MPs and as the leaders of Government.
President Jomo Kenyatta greets Finance Minister Mwai Kibaki at Parliament buildings shortly before the budget speech on 18th June 1971. Looking on is Vice President Daniel Arap Moi.Mwai Kibaki was Finance Minister for more than a decade. He was at the helm of the Finance docket between 1969-1981.President Daniel Arap Moi, who was also the Baringo Central Member of Parliament, listens to the budget speech in Parliament on 12th June 1998.President Moi in Parliament as Finance Minister Prof George Saitoti reads the budget in 1989.Finance Minister Chris Okemo reading the budget in Parliament in 2001. Okemo was the Minister between 1999-2001.President Mwai Kibaki in Parliament during budget speech in 2006. The Finance Minister was Amos Kimunya.Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta poses for the customary photo with the iconic budget briefcase at Treasury on budget day in 2009. Flanked by Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, and Assistant Minister for Finance Oburu Odinga.
