The growth of public expenditure in Kenya exploring the causes 1980 2012
Abstract
What explains the growth of public expenditure in Kenya? This study estimates the causes of
growth of public expenditure using annual time series data for the period 1980 to 2012. In
this study we examined 6 causes of growth of public expenditure in Kenya namely
population, foreign Aid, inflation, Gr
oss domestic product, free primary education and
coalition government. The data obtained on these variables was subjected to ordinary least
Squares and carried out co
-
integration and stationary tests. The results of the study revealed
that Population, GDP,
free primary education and Coalition government were integrated with
Public Expenditure in Kenya. This means that there is a long run relationship between these
variables and public expenditure. The study also showed that population and GDP had a
positive
relationship with public Expenditure growth while coalition government and free
primary education had a negative effect on public expenditure growth in Kenya. Foreign aid
and inflation were insignificant in determining the growth of public expenditure. Th
is shows
that population, GDP, free primary education and coalition government were the causes of
growth of public expenditure in Kenya. The study concluded that for Kenya government to
manage its expenditure sustainably there is need for the government to
undertake proper
fiscal policies and policies geared towards management of population and Free primary
education.