The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) was a spending plan initiated by the Government of Kenya to boost economic growth and lead the Kenyan economy out of the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis and the Great Recession.[1] It was introduced in the 2009/2010 Budget Speech[2] in parliament by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. Its aim was to jumpstart the Economy of Kenya towards long term growth and development, after the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis and post-election violence that affected the Kenyan economy. Other economic problems included prolonged drought, a rally in oil prices and food prices, and the effects of the Great Recession.[3] The stimulus was a response to the decline in the economic growth rate from 7.1% in 2007 to 1.7% in 2009.[4]
The total budget allocated amounted to KSh.22 billion/=[5] (260 million US$), with the money going towards the construction of schools, horticultural markets, jua kali sheds and public health centres in all the 210 constituencies.